The Citizens’ Disaster Response Center Foundation, Inc. (CDRC) condemns the harassment and human rights violations being experienced by the staff of Disaster Response Center (DIRECT), its partner organization based in Sarangani in Mindanao.

On August 4, vehicles parked at DIRECT’s Koronadal Operations Center were intentionally burned by unidentified persons using Molotov – torches made up of bottles that contain gasoline. More than the damages this incident caused to the vehicles, it put the lives of DIRECT’s staff in danger.

DIRECT had been a subject of red-tagging in the past years. Days before the incident, their staff observed a group of people observing their office.

DIRECT is a non-government organization that promotes community-based disaster management, implements projects on disaster risk reduction and management projects, emergency relief, early recovery and rehabilitation in disaster-stricken communities in SOCCSKSARGEN and other areas in Mindanao since its establishment in 1991.

DIRECT recently completed a project to enhance the capacities of their staff and Disaster Preparedness Committee officers and members on community-based disaster management. When the government imposed community quarantines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DIRECT responded by delivering relief assistance in the form of food and non-food items, commodity vouchers, and cash.

When a series of earthquakes hit Mindanao in November 2019, DIRECT was able to provide assistance to thousands of survivors. They risked their lives and even experienced aftershocks while gathering data and distributing relief goods.

CDRC calls on the authorities in Sarangani to investigate this case. This act of harassment is a clear manifestation of the prevalent culture of impunity. Human rights violations are time and again committed against development workers while justice remains elusive.

For years, development workers who actively work with marginalized communities have been harassed, threatened, and intimidated. With this recent case of harassment against DIRECT, it is now crucial that we should unite and demand a stop to attacks against development workers.

We call on development workers to unite for the people’s right to development as we fight the atrocities not only against our organizations but against vulnerable communities as well.

STOP THE ATTACKS!
STAND FOR PEOPLE’S DEVELOPMENT, JUSTICE, AND PEACE!