TACLOBAN CITY — Residents of a remote village in Leyte have raised concerns over alleged indiscriminate firing of guns by members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), prompting fear among locals, although the military has dismissed the claims as false and misleading.

In an open letter sent to Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders (EVMWB), a concerned citizen said residents of Barangay Villa Corazon in Burauen, Leyte were alarmed by repeated gunfire at night and during the early morning hours. The letter claimed that CAFGU members camped in the village had been discharging firearms, disrupting sleep and causing distress among residents.

EVMWB, a group of journalists and media workers, operates a Facebook page that allows citizens to raise community concerns for government attention.

According to the complainant, residents were particularly worried because they did not know the direction in which the firearms were being fired. The issue was reportedly raised with barangay officials and the municipal mayor, but no action was taken.

However, the Philippine Army, through the 802nd Infantry Brigade, denied the allegations.

In a statement, Pompeyo Jason Almagro, commander of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, said an internal inquiry showed that the firing was part of a scheduled dry run conducted by members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA-AA).

Almagro said the activity used blank ammunition and formed part of preparations for security operations during the Yuletide season. He added that the exercise was coordinated with barangay officials and supported by a barangay certification issued by the local government unit.

“They were not indiscriminately firing their firearms. The activity was a legitimate military exercise intended to enhance their skills and readiness in protecting the community from the atrocities of Communist Terrorist Groups,” Almagro said.

The brigade commander, however, did not explain why the exercise was conducted at night or in the early morning hours.

Almagro also said coordination with the Burauen Municipal Police Station confirmed that no police blotter entry or formal complaint had been filed by residents or barangay officials regarding the incident.

He reminded online media platforms to observe responsible and professional journalism, stressing the importance of verification before publishing information that could cause public alarm.

“Before posting unverified information, media practitioners should first coordinate with the proper authorities. The role of the media is to deliver accurate information to the public, not to spread fear and misinformation,” he said.

Almagro added that individuals who spread false or misleading information may face prosecution under Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.