Three cases of physical assault and abuse by soldiers against peasants and indigenous peoples were recorded in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental and Surigao del Sur in recent weeks. All victims are being accused of having links or being members of the New People’s Army.

In Surigao del Sur, 75th IB troops arrested and tortured seven civilians in Sitio Katabadan, Barangay San Roque, San Miguel on September 18.

The soldiers accosted Leboy, his wife Etshell, Erlyn, John Paul, Archie and Dennis, both minors, all members of the Montenegro family, in their farm. They were with Raffy Arcinal. They were beaten, despite having asked the military permission for permission to work that day. John Paul was wrapped in canvas and repeatedly kicked upon. Soldiers placed a plastic bag on Leboy’s head and was made to crawl in front of his family.

In Negros Occidental, the 94th IB detained spouses Gamay and Orillo Carpentero for more than four hours with their and 1-year-old baby, and Dodong Carpentero in Sitio Negros 9, Barangay Oringaw, Kabankalan City on September 20. They were subjected to extreme psychological torture.

The Gamay and Dodong brothers were harvesting vegetables when they were taken in by more than 20 soldiers. Gamay’s face was pushed on the ground when he tried to scream and ask for help. Orillo and her baby, who were looking for Gamay, were also arrested. They were all taken to a military camp in Barangay Camingawan. They were released around 9 o’clock in the evening.

In Oriental Mindoro, the 4th IB ransacked the home of native Mangyan-Hanunuo G. Kitot in Sitio Gaang, Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay on September 22. He and his son were beaten by soldiers. The two were harvesting kaong when the military attacked. Soldiers claim that two guns were seized from the house. The military also sexually harassed G. Kitot’s wife. To this day, G. Kitot has yet to be surfaced.

Killings. Armed elements ambushed and shot veteran radio commenter Percival “Percy” Lapid at the BF Resort Village in Talon Dos, Las Piñas on October 3. He was a known critic of the Duterte and Marcos II regime. He was the second journalist killed under the new regime.

In condemnation, various groups led by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines staged a protest action on the evening of October 4 at Boy Scout Circle, Quezon City.

In Agusan del Sur, soldiers of the 9th Special Forces Company killed civilians Lonie Hainampos Pison and Jessa Terol Empoy on September 30 at P-7, Barangay San Vicente, Prosperidad. The military claims that the two were killed in an encounter. They were former members of the people’s army.

Indiscriminate firing. Nine civilians were fired upon by the 1st Special Forces Battalion (SFB) in Barangay Bagoaingud, Tagoloan II, Lanao del Sur on September 18. The said unit was part of a group of more than 100 soldiers operating in the area.

Harassment. Kara Taggaoa, organizer of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), and Helari Valbuena, leader of the Pasiklab Operators and Drivers Association-Piston, were charged by the Quezon City police with trumped-up cases of robbery, according to a report by the KMU last September. The case was filed against them for being the alleged leaders of a peaceful protest in July 2020.