Soldiers of the 94th IB and local police mercilessly killed four sick Red fighters of the New People’s Army while in custody in Sitio Calunakon, Barangay Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental last July 6. The Red fighters were recuperating in a hut when they were captured. Instead of according them prisoner-of-war status in line with international humanitarian law, soldiers fatally shot Roel Ladera (Ka Jack), Nica Dela Cruz (Ka Chai), Alden Rodriguez (Ka Rocky) and Roel Deguit (Ka Caloy). The soldiers claimed the four were killed in an encounter from the adjacent barangay.

Last June 29, an unknown assailant shot radio announcer Federico “Deng” Gempesaw while on his way home in Sitio Macangan, Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. Gempesaw is the third journalist killed in Mindanao this year alone.

Dispersal. Paid thugs violently dispersed workers’ strike at Tanduay Distillers in Talisay, Negros Occidental last June 28. In a video posted on social media, workers and their picketline organized by the Tanduay Bottle Sorters Organization (TanSO-SUPER) were attacked by goons of Talisay Logistics Packaging Corporation. The workers’ strike aims to oppose the company’s plan to reduce their work days, which would consequently lower their already measly salaries. They also demand the reinstatement of dismissed workers, regularization of contractual employees and their right for workers’ benefits.

Arrests. In Aklan, 30 elements of the 301st IBde went on house-to-house along C. Laserna St., Poblacion, Kalibo last June 22 to search for Bayan-Aklan officials Kim-Sin Tugna and George T. Calaor.

Meanwhile, members of the local police arrested Pamalakaya leader Susan Agner in Maragondon, Cavite, along with three other residents of Barangay Patungan last June 23.

Militarization. Since May 28, elements of the 303rd IBde laid siege on 32 communities and five villages in Himamaylan City and Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental. Their operations also covered areas of La Libertad, Guihulngan City and Vallehermoso in Negros Oriental.

In Himamaylan City, more than 600 soldiers encamped in 24 sitios in 4 barangays in the area. They caused widespread disruption in the lives of Tribu Magahat and Bukidnon tribe members residing in the area. Seven civilians, including two minors, were illegally arrested and interrogated at Sitio Lunoy and Conalum.

An office of a local peasant association in Barangay Carabalan was raided and its chairperson subjected to intense interrogation. The association’s records and other legal papers were confiscated. In Moises Padilla, more than 100 soldiers encamped in sitios of Barangay Quintin Remo.

Forced surrender. In separate statements, local residents and the New People’s Army (NPA)-Mt. Apo Subregional Command belied reports of the 72nd IB saying two Red fighters, a father and son, surrendered in Barangay Magsay-say, Kibawe, Bukidnon last June 23. According to the NPA, the two are farmers in the area.

Meanwhile, Nimfa Lanzanas was released last June 29, after the Regional Trial Court in Calamba City dismissed charges against her. Lanzanas was illegally arrested during a coordinated operation of arrests and killings known as Bloody Sunday in Southern Tagalog.

Likewise, the court dismissed first two cases filed by the police against #Tinang83 last June 27. The group still faces five more charges. Last June 20, the Department of Agrarian Reform formally recognized the farmers as legitimate beneficiaries of the hacienda.