Five farmers were massacred by the police on October 24, in Barangay Bugtong, Mandaon, Masbate. The police falsely claimed the victims were members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who were killed after fighting back while being arrested. The NPA-Masbate belied this claim. The NPA is still determining the identities of the victims.

In Barangay Poblacion, Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, elements of the 7th IB killed anti-mining activist Filimon Agsim on Oktubre 22. The military made it appear that victim committed suicide. His family, however, attested that his cadaver was covered in bruises and bore marks of torture.

Illegal arrest. In Bulacan, 40 farmers, including six children, were arrested by soldiers and CAFGU men in Barangay Pamarawan, Malolos on October 29. They were brought to the detachment in Barangay Taliptip in the adjacent town of Bulakan. They were forced to work there. Seven other residents, including a child, were also forced to work there on the same day.