CAPAS, Tarlac — Tensions between Capas residents and military officials are about to reach a boiling point as local leaders consider declaring key Philippine Air Force (PAF) officers ‘persona non grata’ on Monday, July 27, in a special session by the town council.
The move stems from mounting local outrage after roughly 3,000 residents — composed of local farmers and indigenous Aetas from Barangays Sta. Juliana, Maruglo, O’Donnell, Sta. Lucia, and Bueno — marched in protest on July 14, 2026, against severe access restrictions enforced around the Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base (CERAB), historically known as Crow Valley.
There are about 45,000 residents affected in the five barangays.
Capas Mayor Roseller Rodriguez strongly condemned the tight security parameters and restrictions imposed by the PAF within its designated “Danger Zone” around the military facility.
Local officials noted that strict sentry checkpoints have severely disrupted daily movement, choked off livelihoods, and curtailed basic rights by restricting the transport of agricultural goods, supplies, and essential civilian services into the five affected villages.
In response to the growing community outcry, municipal leaders are mulling over the potential declaration of CERAB Commander Lt. Col. Owen Avenido and potentially other key military personnel through a Sangguniang Bayan Resolution.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr recently urged caution and called for a comprehensive review of the long-standing status of the military reservation.
“We have to look into the whole story behind it. As far as I know, that was Camp O’Donnell before, and it has long been a military camp. We have to examine it carefully,” Teodoro stated.
The Defense Chief acknowledged that while the PAF enforces perimeter restrictions to keep civilians clear of live-fire training zones, a balance must be maintained.
“First of all, every place in the Philippines is for Filipinos,” Teodoro stressed. “Second, we have to determine whether residents are really being displaced or experiencing hardship. Of course, we will provide a remedy if that is the case.”
Teodoro added that Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) chief Lt. Gen. Aristotle Gonzales has been tasked with engaging stakeholders and conducting ground assessments to understand the extent of community disruption while maintaining base security.
