A series of cases of enforced disappearances of civilians, activists and revolutionaries have been reported in the past week throughout the country. At least eight were abducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) while three were summarily killed. The victims of the killing were claimed to have been killed in “encounters” between the AFP and the New People’s Army (NPA).

These cases are grave violations of international humanitarian law and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

Military violence in Negros

The 94th IB summarily killed Roger Posadas, consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in Negros and dumped his body in Barangay Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental on April 20. Soldiers claimed that he was killed in a series of fake encounters.

Posadas was abducted by the military on the night of April 19 while traveling along the Aranda-La Castellana Road in Hinigaran town. Lyngrace Martullinas and the rented two civilian motorcycle drivers, Renren delos Santos and Renald Mialen, were abducted along with him. All three have not been surfaced to this day.

On April 28, the 62nd IB also summarily killed an ailing 22 year-old Red fighter Anthony Curson (Ka Miguel) at Sitio Malatanglad, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City. Curson had kidney disease and was an hors de combat at the time.

After being captured, Curson was taken to the house of farmer Leonido Montero where he was severely tortured before being killed. After this, Montero was subjected to torture, arrested and imprisoned on trumped-up charges.

On May 3, a farmer was picked up by the 94th IB from his house at Sitio Paloypoy, Barangay Buenavista in Himamaylan City and was bound, interrogated and killed. The victim was identified as Crispin Tingal Jr.

Not satisfied, the soldiers also chased the victim’s son and fired multiple shots at him. He escaped and dodged the soldiers’ bullets. As a result, at least eight families were forced to evacuate.

Meanwhile, the group BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) Philippines called for justice for the killing of its member and unionist Alex Dolorosa in Bacolod City. His body was found at Villa Sto. Rosario, Barangay Alijis on April 24. Dolorosa was last seen alive on the night of April 23.

Dolorosa served as a paralegal and organizer for BIEN. Before he was killed, he was subjected to surveillance by state agents.

Other cases of abduction

Soldiers of the 4th IB abducted two indigenous peoples’ rights defenders at Sitio Buol, Barangay Santa Teresita, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro on April 24. The two, identified as Mary Joyce Lizada and Arnulfo “Ompong” Aumentado, are members of the Bigkis at Lakas ng mga Katutubo sa Timog Katagalugan.

The military surfaced them on April 26 claiming they were “arrested after being wounded” in a fake encounter. They are now kept at the 2nd ID’s Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal and are denied their right to be visited by and have communication with relatives and lawyers.

Dexter Capuyan, a Bontoc-Ibaloi-Kankanaey from La Trinidad, Benguet and Gene Roz Jamil De Jesus, a defender of indigenous rights, were abducted by state forces and have yet to be surfaced. According to human rights groups, the two were last contacted on the night of April 28 while in Taytay, Rizal for Capuyan’s medical check-up.

Their relatives are deeply concerned about their condition and safety because Capuyan is accused by the AFP of being an NPA leader in the Ilocos-Cordillera region with a ₱1,850,000 reward money for his capture. Apart from this, Capuyan is also implicated in cases of murder, attempted murder and frustrated murder of AFP soldiers in February 2015 in Barangay Namitpit, Quirino, Ilocos Sur.