The recently concluded Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit attended by world leaders including US President Donald Trump seems to have displeased fellows of Eastern Visayas where the historic Balangiga bells reign.

Human rights group Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas – Karapatan slammed the illegal arrest of a peasant-leader and member of the alliance People Surge at around 7:30 in the morning last November 10, Friday. The farmer identified as Carlito “James” Badillo, age 41, from Marabut, Western Samar was captured by military officials at the village of Legaspi in the said town while on his way home after sending his children to Osmena National High School.

Three thousand-strong disaster survivors from Eastern Visayas converged in a mobilization last November 8, Wednesday, to demand justice, accountability, and an end to hunger, poverty, and rising fascism in the region. Simultaneous mass actions were held in the region’s capital, Catbalogan, and Catarman of Western and Northern Samar respectively mobilizing almost nine thousand Yolanda victims in the whole region.

Attended by Staff Sgt. Sevillano, progressive group leaders, residents of the village themselves and human rights advocates, the farmers’ alliance lambasted the armed officials for being the top perpetrators and violators of human rights.