Capas Demands AFP Lift Military Checkpoints Blocking Residents' Passageway to Mt. Pinatubo

Military Checkpoints Block Capas Residents' Access to Mt. Pinatubo

Capas residents are fed up with military restrictions at the Crow Valley Gunnery Range that are disrupting their daily lives and blocking their access to the popular tourist destination, Mt. Pinatubo. The checkpoints, put up by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), are located in Barangay Sta. Juliana, which lies within the Crow Valley reservation. This has caused friction between residents and the military.

The Mayor of Capas, Roseller Rodriguez, has urged the commander of Col. Ernesto Ravina Airbase to review the military's policies and ease the restrictions. According to Rodriguez, the military's measures have become 'unreasonable' and are affecting the people's livelihood.

The Crow Valley Gunnery Range is a 1,500-hectare area reserved for the AFP's firing exercises. However, the nearby Barangay Sta. Juliana is home to approximately 15,000 residents who rely on the area for farming, fishing, and other activities. These residents have also been using the area as a passageway to reach the crater lake of Mt. Pinatubo, which has seen a surge in tourism.

Rodriguez, who has been in office for 6 years, has been vocal about the needs of his residents and has written several letters to the AFP commander. However, so far, there has been no response. The Mayor fears that the prolonged closure of the area will have a devastating impact on the local economy.

Residents have also expressed their concerns about the safety of the area, citing reports of accidents and injuries due to the military's exercises.

The conflict between the residents and the military began last year when the AFP started conducting training exercises at the Crow Valley Gunnery Range. Since then, the residents have been complaining about the restrictions, which have affected their livelihood and hindered their access to ancestral lands.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP spokesperson, has denied any wrongdoing, saying that the military's actions are 'within the bounds of the law.'

Residents, however, disagree, saying that their rights as citizens are being disregarded.

In a statement, Rodriguez said, 'We are not asking for special treatment, but we are asking for fairness and understanding. We are willing to work with the military to find a solution that suits everyone.'

The standoff continues as the residents wait for a resolution to the conflict.