A human rights rights lawyer and a Red fighter rendered hors de combat were killed by armed state agents in the past weeks.

Two gunmen gunned down Atty. Juan Macababbad, vice chairperson of the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao and member of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, in front of his house in Surallah, South Cotabato on September 15.

Atty. Macababbad represented Lumads, teachers, political detainees and members of other marginalized sectors in the region. He was also a member of the Bayan Muna partylist.

In Camarines Sur, policemen and soldiers tortured and summarily executed on September 12 Dioscorro L. Roma (Ka JR), an hors de combat Red fighter of the New People’s Army (NPA). Ka Roma was captured outside an NPA camp in Tible, Lupi while fetching supplies.

According to his family, the lifeless body of Roma was unrecognizable due to the intense torture he suffered. His face, fingers and testicles were broken, and his entire body was covered in bruises.

Meanwhile, elements of the Philippine National Police-Labo arrested two officials of Barangay Dumagmang, Labo, Camarines Norte on August 30. Barangay watchwomen Angelita F. Talla and Julieta Clores Dela Cruz, 65, were maliciously accused of involvement in an NPA armed action in the said barangay last March. They were slapped with charges of direct assault and frustrated murder.

Elements of the 62nd IB also arrested farmer Toto Moreno, resident of Sitio Uyangan, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, on September 14 and accused him of being an NPA member.