The 8th ID fired a total of 88 artillery rounds at farmlands in San Jose de Buan, Western Samar last July 14 and 29. This resulted in the evacuation of 50 farmers from adjacent communities.

At least 64 rounds of mortar and howitzers were fired by the military at farmlands in Mt. Huraw near the town center of San Jose de Buan on July 14. This was followed by 24 rounds of mortar which were fired at a forested area in Sit­io Salvacion, Ba­ra­ngay San Nico­las on July 29. There was no NPA unit in the area during the artillery shelling incidents. The military carried out the attacks despite knowing that the area serves as residents’ main source of food and livelihood. They hunt their food here and gather rattan which they sell.

Earlier, soldiers arrested farmer David Dacles while on his way home to Sit­io Salvacion on July 25. He is currently detained and being interrogated at a military camp in Ba­ra­ngay Can­ta­to, Pa­ra­nas.