After Lumbera, another artist complains of military surveillance

Barely a week after a Marine trainee was caught conducting surveillance on National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera’s residence, another writer complained Tuesday of having been harassed by the military. University of the Philippines professor and writer Pedro "Jun" Cruz Reyes Jr. said in an affidavit released to media Tuesday that unidentified men surveilled his house in Hagonoy, Bulacan two weeks ago. Reyes said around eight unidentified men riding a white van stayed outside and surveyed his home at around midnight of September 10. According to the writer, the same incident happened again on September 13, when a black van parked and stayed outside his house for a few minutes. He also said that on the same day, another unidentified man dressed in civilian clothes took pictures of him while he was having snacks at a store outside the UP campus. In his affidavit, Reyes said he is starting to fear for his life because the incidents are already showing a “pattern" of military surveillance. “Nanganganib ang buhay ko. May mga nagtatangka gayong wala naman akong kagalit sapagkat ako’y isang manunulat at pintor lamang (My life is in danger. I see these as attempts, although I do not have enemies since I am just a writer and painter)," he said. But the military on Tuesday denied having a hand in the incidents that Reyes described. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said he is not aware of a military effort to conduct surveillance on Reyes. “What I know is that there is no effort like that," he said. The military also advised Reyes to seek the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to avoid any similar incidents in the future. A trainee of the Philippine Marines was arrested by village security on September 17 for allegedly conducting surveillance on the residence of National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera. The Philippine Navy spokesman quickly explained that the Marine trainee was carrying out an exercise for his surveillance training class. Not the first time Reyes likewise said that the incidents two weeks ago were not the first time he was subjected to military harassment. He recalled that in November 2007, masked men dressed in military uniforms tried to pay his neighbors P20,000 to reveal his whereabouts. Earlier, in August 2007, Reyes said unidentified men tried to break into his house. Reyes said he could not think of any particular reason why he would encounter such intimidating actions. “Tahimik akong mamamayan. Walang kagalit, at wala ring anumang record sa barangay man o sa pulis. Artist na intelektwal lang po ako (I’m a peaceful citizen. I have no enemies, and no records whether with the barangay or with the police. I am just an intellectual artist)," he said. GMANews.TV tried to reach Reyes for further comments through phone but he was not available as of posting time. Reyes is a multi-awarded literary writer who has received the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature and the Philippine Centennial Literary Prize. He has published 10 books, most of which have been recognized by various award-giving bodies. Reyes also teaches creative writing and literary studies in UP. - GMANews.TV