Farmer murdered, 22 families evacuate

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During the past weeks, one case each of killing and artillery shelling were reported in Negros Occidental, while 22 families evacuated in Surigao del Sur. Five civilians were arrested in Bohol, Laguna and Agusan del Sur.

Killing. Elements of the 3rd ID gunned down Erming Pacheco, a Tumandok, at Sitio Dala-upon, Carabalan, Himamaylan City. He was accused of involvement in an encounter between the military and Red fighters near the area.

Shelling. On the same day, the 3rd ID shelled the mountainous areas of Himamaylan City and Binalbagan from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This attack traumatized residents and damaged their source of livelihood.

Evacuation. In Surigao del Sur, 22 families (100 individuals) from Sitio Panukmoan and Sitio Manluy-a, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga evacuated from their community on June 23. The evacuees are from the same barangay where three civilians were massacred by soldiers of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion on June 15. The soldiers threatened to kill anyone who will speak about the massacre.

Illegal arrest. Elements of the 47th IB simultaneously arrested Carmilo Tabada, coordinator of Central Visayas Farmers Development Center, in Trinidad, Bohol, and Rev. Nathaniel Vallente, pastor of the United Churches of Christ in the Philippines, in San Jose, Mabini, Bohol, on June 25. Evidences of firearms and ammunition were planted in their possession, and both were slapped with trumped-up charges. They were earlier red-tagged by the regime.

On the same day, the police arrested Dana Marie Marcellana and Christian Relao in San Diego, San Pablo City, Laguna. They were slapped with trumped-up charges of rebellion and illegal possession of firearms.

In Agusan del Sur, the 8th Special Forces Company arrested a 12-year old child at Sitio Marang, Barangay Mabuhay, Prosperidad on June 4. Prior to the arrest, soldiers indiscriminately fired their weapons at farmers harvesting corn. Two farmers were wounded. Twelve children were among the harvesters.

Harassment. Soldiers and policemen illegally searched seven houses of members of the Trinidad-Talibon Integrated Farmers Association in Trinidad, Bohol on June 27 and June 28.

Farmer murdered, 22 families evacuate