#HandsOffActivists, #STOPHarassingSherwinDeVera

ARTICLE FROM DEFEND ILOCOS FACEBOOK PAGE In light of the recent harassment of our Regional Coordinator by state forces, we updated and republishing this article to better understand why the government continue to exert pressure against him. We enjoin you to take a peek of this person, who is unceasingly maligned, vilified and threatened by the state and its security forces.

SHERWINDE VERA, a home-grown political activist and environmental advocate of Ilocos Sur is the subject of threat, harassment and intimidation since his days as a student leader in the University of Northern Philippines (UNP). He is currently working as a researcher for Katinnulong Daguiti Umili ti Amianan, Inc. (KADUAMI) a non-government institution providing assistance to grassroots organizations in Northern Luzon. In his spare time, De Vera oversees the Ilocos Network for the Environment (DEFEND Ilocos) as its Regional Coordinator. DEFEND Ilocos is a campaign network against environmentally destructive projects iin Ilocos. He is also a member of the Technical Working Group of the Save the Abra River Project under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

In June 20, 2014, agents from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) approached one of his relatives and asked about his involvement with progressive organizations and protest rallies in the region. The state agents also insinuated he’s links with the CPP-NPA-NDFP. He is now the subject of surveillance and harassments (SMS barrage) by elements of NICA and other state security forces.

State security forces have been relentless in harassing De Vera. Last Tuesday (July 18), he was tailed by unidentified men while visiting DEFEND Ilocos members and partners in Vigan City, and visited UNP to inquire about the institutions water quality testing equipment. The next day, July 19, two individuals who identified themselves as military intelligence personnel to the security guards asked about his business in the university, the office and persons he visited. The military agents also claimed that De Vera is under their “watchlist” because of his travels in different places in Ilocos and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

We enjoin you to take a peek of this person, who is unceasingly maligned, vilified and threatened by the state and its security forces.

HONOR STUDENT & LEADER. He graduated Valedictorian in Burgos Memorial School East (BMSE) and First Honorable Mention in Ilocos Sur National High School (ISNHS) in Vigan City. He was the Corps Commander of ISNHS Class 1997 Corps of Cadets.

He entered the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1997 where he took up BS Applied Physics but eventually shifted to Agriculture. While in UPLB, he joined the KAPPA EPSILON FRATERNITY where he served as Head of the External Affairs Committee and Lord Keeper of the Scrolls (Secretary). 

In 2000, he transferred to UNP in Vigan City and took BS in Environmental Studies (BSES). During his studies, De Vera established a local chapter of his fraternity and helped organize the first fraternity council in the university – the Peaceful Responsible and Organized Fraternities (PROFRAT) which ended the spate of rumbles and fostered mutual respect and assistance among fraternities. Under his leadership, the Ilocos Students Alliance – Vanguards of the Environment an organization of BSES students was accredited by the university and was able to seek recognition from the City Council as an environmental NGO. He was also elected Press Relations Officer of the UNP Student Council. He led the walk-out against ROTC and became the Spokesperson of ABOLISH ROTC Network in the region.

In 2002, he led the formation of the Alliance of Concerned Students-Partido ng Demokratikong Mag-aaral and became its standard bearer in 2002. He was elected President of the Student Council through a landslide vote. He served as concurrent student representative during his term as SC President in the university’s Board of Regents. During this period, the UNP-SC and student organizations successfully opposed tuition and other fee increases, exposed issues of abuse and corruptions of school officials and demand the necessary student services and facilities. The UNP-SC also sponsored and hosted the First Regional Environmental Summit which gave birth to Malayang Samahan para sa Kalikasan at Bayan that became part of Save the Abra River Movement (STARM).

He also served as Regional Director of the Philippine Confederation of Student Regents & Trustees, Founding Chair of the National Union of Students of the Philippines Ilocos Sur and Vice President of the Student Council Action Network– Philippines; these organizations were instrumental in the formation of the Save Philippine Education Movement in Ilocos region. He was slected by the City Government of Vigan to represent the youth and students sector for the Strategic Development Workshop under Mayor Ferdinand Medina.

His undergraduate thesis “Impacts of Mining in the Communities Along the Abra River” became one of the resources in the campaign against mining pollution inthe Abra River. He was the recipient of Distinguished Leadership Award from the university when he graduated in 2004.

HUMAN RIGHTS & PEACE ADVOCATE. After graduation, he took the task of becoming the Spokesperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Ilocos. He became the voice of BAYAN Ilocos during the Oust Gloria Campaign and other pressing regional issues. Appointed as BAYAN MUNA Regional Coordinator in 2004, he actively campaigned for a clean, peaceful and honest elections; and forwarded legislative briefs to Congress on issues concerning the region.

In September 2004, he resigned from BAYAN and took the helm of the Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA) as Secretary General. During his stint with IHRA, he headed the formation of task forces, quick reaction teams and fact-finding missions in far-flung and militarized communities in Ilocos and Abra. This was the height of implementation of Oplan Bantay Laya I in the region and IHRA was at the forefront of defending human rights and exposing military atrocities and the social impacts of militarization. Under his watch, IHRA organized the Pilgrims for Peace in Ilocos to campaign for the resumption of peace talks and operationalization of the Joint Monitoring Committee for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law. During this period, he became the subject of vilification campaign and threats by the 50th Infantry Battalion then headed by Lt. Col. Roberto Almadin.  

He delivered lectures on peace and human rights during his brief employment in UNP under the Center for Human Rights, Drug and Peace Education from 2010-2011. He assisted in the systematization of the UNP Volunteer Corps and its membership to the United Nations Environment, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Club of the Philippines. While employed at the university, he was put under constant observation by the Director of the Campus Security under the behest the military. 

 

ENVIRONMENTALIST, WRITER, EDUCATOR & COMMUNITY ORGANIZER. In 2005, STARM called for volunteers to strengthen and broaden the campaign against the expansion of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company and other mining projects that will affect the Abra River system. Seeing the need, he resigned from IHRA and volunteered to take part as a community educator and researcher. His volunteer work took him to different municipalities and communities traversed by the Abra River. There he shared his time and knowledge to educate residents about the impacts of mining, other extractive industries and the importance of conserving nature. He was among those contributed in organizing people’s organizations and alliances that successfully launched campaigns against environmentally destructive projects in the area.

During the same period, he was constantly accused by state security forces to have links with the CPP-NPA-NDFP. His family was forced to leave their province due to frequent threats and harassment which persisted even after they settled in the National Capital Region.

He participated in the formation of Defend Ilocos Against Mining Plunder (DEFEND Ilocos) in 2011, assisted in the filling of the Writ of Kalikasan against Altamina Mining Corporation and heads its Research and Education Committee. His paper “Profile and Impacts of Small Scale Mining in the Ilocos Tri-boundary” and MPA Thesis “Mining & Conflicts: Magnetite Mining in Ilocos Sur” provided a substantial proof of illegal and destructive mining operations in the province and exposed the officials and companies behind the massive destruction of its shorelines. 

When the 2013 elections came, De Vera actively campaigned for the inclusion of environmental programs in the program of action of candidates and political parties. He was among those who crafted the Ilocos People’s Agenda adapted by MAKABAYAN-Ilocos and use as basis of unity among the local candidates. His electoral work did not went unnoticed by the PNP. MAKABAYAN was able to secure a memorandum from the Regional Police Office instructing all PNP units in the region to monitor his movement and activities during the election period.

Recognizing his knowledge on regional issues, De Vera was invited and was the lone participant from the Ilocos Sur to the National Social Development Initiative Summit in August 2016. The event was held in Davao City and convened by the Office of the President under the supervision of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco.

Through his column Ilocandia Rumblings in the weekly paper Northern Dispatch, De Vera brought issues in Ilocos that fail to enter mainstream media to the people of Northern Luzon. His articles served as guide for people’s and non-government organizations’ campaign and advocacy work.

Public officials and even some government agencies especially in his native province consults with him on matters concerning the environmental. He goes beyond his duties, walking the extra mile to provide technical assistance to different groups, local governments and the church, deliver lectures in forums and other gatherings, entertain media interviews, and actively organize mobilizations to condemn the unabated destruction of nature and to demand accountability.

SHERWIN DE VERA’s track record provides a clear picture of unwavering commitment to impart and culture knowledge, organize communities and be in solidarity with the oppressed and marginalized sectors of our society. His engagement with local governments units and agencies affirms his pursuit and adherence to the rule of law and good governance. He extends his expertise without expecting any remuneration nor recognition. Despite experiencing threats and harassments, and efforts to discredit him for more than a decade, he remain firm with his convictions and advocacy. He is being vilified, threatened and harassed simply for choosing to serve the people.