More than 100 elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines laid siege on the sub-villages of Malikoliko and Cunalom in Barangay Carabalan and Sitio Tigbao in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last April 22. They were in search for a 2-month old infant and a 2-year old child whom they claimed to be children of Red fighters. Four houses in Sityo Malikoliko were ransacked by 30 soldiers in search of the children.

Soldiers threatened the children’s grandmother, along with seven other residents. At the same time, the butchers cordoned off the community, prohibiting residents to leave or go to their farms. A total of 42 individuals were driven away—14 women and 21 children. They included relatives of siblings Jayson and Arnulfo Sabanal who were killed last March.

Killing. Troopers of the 48th IB indiscriminately fired upon five farmers in Barangay Talisay, San Isidro, Davao Oriental last April 23. Two were instantly killed while three were arrested and later presented as members of the New People’s Army (NPA). The NDF-Southern Mindanao vehemently belied this, saying that no Red fighter or NPA unit was in the area at that time. Residents also countered the AFP statements.

In Sorsogon, soldiers of the 31st IB killed Alvin Orpiada, Randy Radana and Christopher Nimo in Sityo Small, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Donsol in the early morning hours of May 2. The military presented the victims as NPA members who were killed in a firefight.

In South Cotabato last April 27, state agents killed Eugene Latrella, a member of Bayan Muna and council member of Barangay Veterans, Surallah. He was killed while driving his motorcycle along the road in Barangay Sinolon, T’boli.

Blockade. Elements of the PNP-SAF, 68th IB, 4th IB and 67th IB imposedblockades on the towns of Calintaan and Rizal in Occidental Mindoro from April 26-27 under the guise of pursuit operations against a unit of the NPA. Farmers were prohibited from bringing food to their farms.