Six civilians were slain by troopers of the 94th IB and the Philippine National Police in seperate incidents in the evening of December 26 in Negros Oriental. Twenty-seven were also illegaly arrested and charged with trumped-up cases in the province. The coordinated attacks against the people of Negros took place in Guihulngan City, Mabinay ang Sta. Catalina.

In Guihulngan City, peasant-leaders Jimmy Fat and Jun Kubol from Barangay Trinidad; Reneboy Fat, a motorcycle (habal-habal) driver from Barangay Hilaitan; Jaime Revilla a local community organizer; Jesus “Dondon” Isugan, a peasant and son of peasant-leaders and Boy Singko, an official of Barangay Trinidad were murdered. In a depraved defense of the murderers, they presented the six as members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to the media.

After killing Isuan, they illegally arrested his parents–Junior and Genia, and 15 others, as well as officials of Barangay Trinidad and Tacpao. The police accused them being NPA members and planted fake evidences of firearms. The houses of Barangay Trinidad’s residents and another civilian in Guihulngan City were also ransacked. A journalist in the town of La Libertad was also shot dead by a riding in tandem.

In Mabinay town, six residents from Barangay Luyang ang Talingting were illegally arrested after being planted with fake evidences of firearms and ammunition. One of the arrested, Margie Vailoces, is the cousin of political prisoner Joey Vailoces (one of the #Mabinay6).

Even before these coordinated attacks, police donning bonnets illegally arrested Rene Cañete, a member of the National Federation of Sugar Workers last December 19 in Sagay City.

Military repression continues in other regions as well.

In Sorsogon, soldiers of the 31st IB illegally arrested Carlo Loreno, a 14-year old minor and resident of Barangay Bacalon, Magallanes. While conducting military operations in the area last January 6, Loreno was forcefully brought to the municipal hall and accused of being an NPA member.

In Cagayan last December 27, 2018, residents of Barangay Balagay, Sto. Nino, were forced by the 17th IB to attend a ‘peace rally’ carrying placards bearing calls condemning the CPP and NPA.