THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC Front-Southern Tagalog vehemently condemned the relentless militarization of Mangyan communities in Mindoro and Dumagat communities in Quezon.

AFP and PNP operations continue unabated in Quezon since May 2018. These past months, the AFP even concocted fake encounters between its units and the New People’s Army to justify its occupation and deployment of additional troops in Dumagat communities.

These actions have all been directed by the Southern Luzon Command and implemented by the Regional Task Force (RTC) to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. The RTC is pushing for the implementation of so-called development projects including the Laiban Dam and Kaliwa Dam which residents are opposing.

In Mindoro, Col. Marceliano Teofilo of the 203rd IBde is directing a suppression campaign against Mangyans. Last May, the said unit conducted indiscriminate bombings and strafing in Barangay Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro and Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. This resulted in the forcible evacuation of 1,000 Mangyans.