MISUNDERSTANDING? | DILG probes alleged harassment of wife of onion farmer in Pangasinan

January 23, 2023 , 10:18 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(January 23, 2023) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Sunday ordered its regional and provincial offices to look into the reported harassment of the widow of an onion farmer in Pangasinan.

DILG secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. reminded his officials to “follow the rule of law and the established protocols to avoid spreading fear among the residents.”

“Mataas ang respeto namin sa mga magsasaka dahil mahalaga ang papel na ginagampanan nila sa seguridad ng pagkain at maayos na nutrisyon ng ating bansa,” said Abalos.

Abalos issued the statement after Merlita Gallardo, a witness in a Senate hearing last Friday, said she was visited by police officers of Bayambang at least five times. She added that they asked her to sign an affidavit that narrated a different story about the death of her husband, Roger Gallardo, in 2021.

She said her husband committed suicide after his inability to settle P500,000 worth of debt and his losses that amounted to P1.7 million. Four other onion farmers in their town reportedly took their own life due to the immense losses they incurred.

Bayambang Mayor Nina Jose Quiambao denied that onion farmers committed suicide due to the rising prices. Local officials claimed that the death of Gallardo’s husband was rooted in the “infestation of crop-eating armyworms.”

Citing her sources, Sen. Imee Marcos said the police officers were acting on the orders of the local DILG and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). She told the security forces to take their “hands off” witnesses like Gallardo.

“Natatakot na ang mga magsasaka ng sibuyas sa biglaang pagkakatok ng pulis nang gabing-gabi hanggang umaga upang papirmahin ng sinumpaang salaysay na bumabaliktad sa kanilang ibinunyag sa Senado,” said Marcos.

Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), apologized to Gallardo but he said the police officers were only trying to validate the information she told the senators. He also noted that the affidavit only reflected the statements of Gallardo during the Senate inquiry.

“Maybe this resulted in a misunderstanding that left (Gallardo) scared,” said Azurin in an interview with DZRH, assuring that the PNP will no longer bother her. “We apologize to (Gallardo) and her family for the trouble or misunderstanding this incident caused.”

Col. Jeff Fanged, the police director in Pangasinan, confirmed that they visited Gallardo following the request of DILG provincial director Virgilio Sison. But there was no confirmation that the NTF-ELCAC was involved. He noted that they are also looking into the harassment allegations.

Abalos said they are committed to helping farmers in line with the thrust of the administration of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.

“Asahan ninyo na kaisa ninyo ang DILG sa adhikain ng pangulo para sa sektor ng agrikultura, kasama na ang pagtutok sa mga programang ikauunlad at aalalay sa mga magsasaka,” said Abalos.

(PM)

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