Two killings of farmer-activists were successively recorded in the past few weeks.

Leonides Bacong, known leader of KASAMA-Bukidnon was gunned-down by unidentified asssailants in front of his residence in Barangay Little Baguio, San Fernando, Bukidnon last September 11.

Angelito Marivao, also a member of the said organization, was gunned down by suspected elements of 88th IB in Barangay Mabuhay in the same town. Marivao is the 16th victim of political killings in Bukidnon this year.

KASAMA-Bukidnon is actively opposing the entry of big mining corporations into the Pantaron Range.

In Isabela, Sammy Pahayon, a community organizer, was also killed by unidentified assailants inside his residence in San Mariano, Isabela last September 11.

Illegal arrest and detention

Antonieta Setias-Dizon, former official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and one of the longest serving organizer of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) was arrested last September 18 by the PNP San Pedro inside her residence in San Pedro, Laguna. She was arrested based on planted evidences of firearms, explosives and subversive documents. She was accused of involvement in a murder case in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur. She is currently detained at San Pedro Police Station.

Earlier in 2015, Dizon was also subjected to harassment and was compelled to seek sanctuary and file a petition for a writ of amparo and habeas data, in fear of being abducted or assassinated.

In Quezon, Alexandrea Pacalda, a human rights activist and former member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, was arrested elements of the 85th IB last September 14 and was coerced to sign an affidavit indicating that she surrendered as a member of the New People’s Army. She was detained for almost 30 hours in a military camp in Barangay San Miguel Dao, Lopez before she was transferred to police custody. She was planted with a .38 caliber pistol and ammunition, and the military made it appear that she voluntarily surrendered these items.

Pacalda strongly belied the statements of the police and military indicating that she voluntarily surrendered. She added that she was deprived of sleep, food, and access to a personal lawyer.

In Negros Occidental, nine members of Teatro Obrero and National Federation of Sugar Workers were illegally arrested by elements of the police and 79th IB at Sitio Barca, Barangay Jonob-Jonob, Escalante City last September 18. A .38 and a .9mm caliber pistol and several liquor bottles supposedly for making explosives were planted inside their jeepney. Their cellphones were also confiscated.

Last September 11, Joel Casusa, chairman of Kauswagan ng Mangunguma was arrested by police forces at Sitio Pisok, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City. He was accused as a member of the NPA and charged with a fabricated frustrated murder case.

Abduction

Elements of 20th IB abducted Argentina Madeja last September 13 in Barangay Burabod, Gamay, Northern Samar. She has not been found until today and is believed to be detained in a nearby military detachment in Barangay Guibuangan. A week before the incident, Nario Lagrimas a farmer and resident of Barangay E. Duran, Bobon was also abducted.

Harassment

As part of the psywar campaign of the Armed Forcses of the Philippines (AFP), an “awareness drive” was launched in various universities across the country during the past few weeks. Among the those they visited were the Bicol University, University of San Carlos in Cebu and Don Honorio Ventura State University in Pampanga. In their forum, military forces maliciously linked progressive student and youth organizations to the revolutionary movement.

Meanwhile, a police officer also threatened Noe Santillan, a professor of the University of the Philippines Cebu and vice-president of the All UP-Academic Employees Union, for simply wearing a Mao cap (a cap with a red star at the center).

Militarization and forced evacuation

Last September 20, 93 families evacuated from Barangay Roxas, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar due to attacks by troops of the 43rd IB against their community. The fascist elements ransacked the residents’ houses, threatened and intimidated them.
Last 2018, the same community evacuated from their villages due to intense military operations.