Karapatan spearheaded a fact-finding mission (FFM) on August 8-10 in San Mariano, Isabela after a spate of human rights violations was reported in the province.

The investigation disclosed that five companies of the 95th and 86th IB have been deployed across 15 barangays in San Mariano, as well as four barangays in Benito Soliven and three in Ilagan City. The military intensified their operations and surveillance in the said areas under the pretext of conducting so-called development programs. Cases including sexual harassment, encampment in civilian infrastructures, indiscriminate firing, and illegal arrest and detention were documented during the investigation.

Starkest among these was the strafing of the house of peasant leader at Sitio Disiguit, Gangalan, San Mariano by the 95th IB last July. His wife, two children and two-year old grandson were in the house when the incident happened.