Soldiers from the 8th ID are prohibiting peasants from harvesting their crops in at least two Samar towns to coerce them to “surrender” to the military. At least 39 peasant families in San Jose de Buan, Western Samar, were told to surrender as NPA members or else starve as they will not be permitted to tend to their farms and harvest rice. Residents of San Jose de Buan have been subjected to unabated attacks and surrender campaigns since May.

In Barangay San Nicolas, soldiers also prevented farmers to harvest rice estimated to yield about 2,800 sacks. If they fail to harvest their crops, they will not have enough food supply until the next harvesting season. Out of fear, 60 families have fled their communities.

The 8th ID is headed by Maj. Gen. Pio Diñoso III.