The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Sunday said it has ordered its regional and provincial offices to investigate the alleged harassment of an onion farmer in Pangasinan by policemen.
In a statement, the DILG said Secretary Benhur Abalos directed Region 1 and Pangasinan provincial offices to submit a report about the incident involving policemen in Bayambang.
"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," Abalos said.
[We have high respect for our farmers as their role is vital in securing food and proper nutrition for our country.]
"Kaya asahan ninyo na kaisa ninyo ang DILG sa adhikain ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. para sa sektor ng agrikultura, kasama na ang pagtutok sa mga programang ikauunlad at aalalay sa mga magsasaka," he added.
[Rest assured that the DILG supports the aspiration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the agriculture sector, and will focus on the programs that will develop and help farmers.]
Abalos reminded authorities to observe the rule of law and protocols in conducting investigations to prevent fear among concerned individuals.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), through PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., has also started its own probe.
During Monday's Senate hearing on soaring onion prices, Young Farmers Challenge Club of the Philippines Inc. President Jerome Laceda revealed that Merlita 'Merly' Gallardo's husband committed suicide due to massive income loss in onion farming.
Laceda also said that four other farmers in the same province also took down their lives.
Two days after she shared their ordeal with senators, policemen allegedly visited her home in Bayambang, Pangasinan eight times, asking about her late husband who took his own life, as well as four other farmers who also killed themselves.
Azurin, in an interview during Dos Por Dos, clarified that the Bayambang cops only came to the house of Nanay Merly to validate some information regarding the death of her husband, Roger Ragos Gallardo.
The PNP chief added that the Bayambang cops only asked Nanay Merly to sign the affidavit clarifying some information she testified at the Senate such as the exact date of Roger's death.
