In other parts of the country, the US-Duterte regime continues to wage all-out attacks against peasants. In March alone, seven were killed by state elements.

Soliders of the 48th IB murdered Larry Suganob, leader of PINAGBUKLOD, an affiliate organization of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), last March 18 at Barangay San Isidro, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Suganob was active in the farmers’ local struggle against landgrabbing of the Ayalas and the Central Bank of the Philippines. Members of the 48th IB were operating in the area during the murder.

In Davao del Norte, a Lumad student was shot-dead in Sitio Milyon, Barangay Sto. Niño, Ta­lai­ngod last March 15. A drunk element of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) indiscriminately fired shots in the community shooting Jerome Pangadas on the head, resulting in his immediate death. According to reports, Balentin ran amok after residents of Sitio Milyon refused to join the CAFGU. Pangadas, aged 15 years old, was a student of Sa­lug­po­ngan Ta ‘Ta­nu Igka­no­gon Com­mu­nity Lear­ning Cen­ter. Another resident was wounded during the incident.

Similarly, a peasant from Bongabong, Oriental Minrodo was killed by the 203rd IBde and PNP-MIMAROPA. The military made it appear that Roland Sibulan died in an encounter between the AFP and NPA last March 2 even if he was actually arrested in a checkpoint and tortured on March 1. His grandchild was also held at gunpoint. Sibulan has left the NPA for more than a decade already.

Last March 5, Sibulan’s nephew, Onad was also arrested at the same checkpoint, tortured and threatened to be killed by soliders. He was released after six hours of mental and physical torture. His cousin was able to flee and escape the torture.

Soldiers of the 71st IB shot three young civilians last March 28 in Sitio Mangurayan, Ba­ra­ngay Ani­ta­pan, Ma­bi­ni, Com­pos­te­la Val­ley. Franklin Tirol, his cousin, Zaldy Tirol and another were just looking for frogs and hunting in the forest, with nothing but flashlights and improvised guns when they were attacked. Franklin and Zaldy immediately died while their cousin was severely wounded and illegaly arrested. The 71st IB claimed that the victims were members of the NPA, and armed with military equipment and an improvised explosive device. They also made it appear that a soldier was wounded in the incident.

Last March 30, Uming Caliho, a peasant-leader from Sitio Kalibunlibunan, Barangay Pinagturilan, Sta. Cruz, Occidental Mindoro was murdered.

Meanwhile, in Samar, Ja­mes Vi­ñas, 75, a former leader of People Surge was shot dead in front of his home in Borongan City last March 12 at 7 p.m.