CAPAS, Tarlac — Malacañang has formally forwarded a municipal resolution condemning a military official’s controversial remarks against residents of two upland barangays here.
Assistant Executive Secretary Azzedine Sadsad-Morilla signed referral letters dated July 29, 2026, transmitting Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 084-2026 to the Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura.
The local legislative measure strongly condemns statements made by Lt. Col. Owen Avenido, commander of the Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base (CERAB), who allegedly referred to the residents of Barangays Maruglu and Sta. Juliana as “informal settlers.”
The municipal council’s resolution urges the military official to rectify and retract the statement, demanding respect for the rights of the affected residents.
Tensions between local communities and the military had escalated following a mass protest on July 14, 2026, where an estimated 3,000 residents, local farmers, and indigenous Aeta people marched against strict entry checkpoints and movement restrictions inside the PAF’s unilaterally imposed “Danger Zone” covering Barangays Sta. Juliana, Maruglo, O’Donnell, Sta. Lucia, and Bueno.
Protesters and local officials decried how military personnel frequently blocked construction materials, farming supplies, and even the delivery of basic social services and emergency responses.
Capas Mayor Roseller “Boots” Rodriguez strongly slammed the checkpoints, emphasizing that national security should not be used to deny basic needs and deny residents access to their own villages. On July 27, 2026, the Sangguniang Bayan unanimously passed Municipal Resolution No. 112-2026, declaring Avenido ‘persona non grata’ and calling for her relief from command.
While processing the official communication, the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration clarified that forwarding the document does not constitute interceding in favor of the requesting party.
The office noted that the action merely transmits a copy of the request for appropriate evaluation and action in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations.
