The 94th IB arrested and interrogated a 14-year old girl named Jelca Ariola in Sitio Suba-Suay, Barangay Mahalang, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, last November 14 on the allegation of being a daughter of a Red fighter. Ariola was on her way home from school when she was accosted by soldiers and brought to the detachment. She was released after hours of pressure and threats. In the same city, the 94th IB beat Tata Balasabas in Sitio Pisok, Barangay Buenavista on November 11.

Farmer Charlie Lelis was illegally arrested on November 1 in Barangay Sangat, Gubat, Sorsogon, on false charges of murder and attempted murder. Lelis is accused of involvement in an encounter between the New People’s Army and soldiers.

Soldiers of the 203rd Ibde fired an M203 and strafed parts of Barangay Rizal, Aguas, and Pitogo in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, at 1 a.m. on November 6. The following day, the neighboring village of Manoot, Rizal was also strafed. Approximately 100 families evacuated to safety.

Military operations in Negros

Operations along the border of Binalbagan and Isabela towns in Negros Occidental and La Libertad in Negros Oriental have been conducted since November 2 by 300-400 troops of the 62nd IB. These operations covered at least 10 barangays and 20 sitios. Soldiers imposed a curfew in some places. They encamped at village centers, residents’ homes and other civilian structures. They used drones whose noise caused fear among residents.

On November 5, Tonie Elod was illegally arrested after 62nd IB soldiers searched his home in Sitio Mabato, Barangay Talaon, La Libertad. They also arrested Joel Carpio, a pig trader from Barangay Cansumandi. A plastic bag was placed over his head while he was being interrogated.

Seven farmers were subjected to interrogation and threats by soldiers, who raided at least five homes with at least one ransacked, in Barangay Macasilao and Winaswasan in Calatrava, and Barangay Bug-ang and Magticol, Toboso on October 19. These violations were committed at the height of focused military operations in Northern Negros towns since October.