State forces violently arrested seven anti-demolition activists and residents of Sitio Casia, Barangay Bangkal, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu while they were protesting against the illegal demolition of 39 houses last November 28-29. The police arrested four residents, Marjhun Amoroto, Belt Sasar, Lito Padillon and Cris Gabutan as well as Anakbayan-Cebu leader Kei Galon, Deviemar Opo of Anakbayan-Lapu-Lapu, and Howell Villacrucis of AMA-Sugbo-KMU. They were released after two days.

According to the groups, the demolition was illegal because no court document was presented by the police. The two groups disclosed that authorities themselves admitted that they carried out a “secret demolition” because they had no legal basis.

The struggle of the people in Sitio Casia for their housing rights began even in 2006. The land is claimed by the Mangura family.

Extrajudicial killing. A platoon of the 62nd IB summarilly killed farmer Bunny Tubalado in a brazen shooting in Sitio Karanawan, Barangay Amuntay, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental on December 6. Soldiers stormed his house around 5 a.m. and shot him in a falsely claimed “encounter.”

Abduction. State forces abducted Mar Silos, an organizer of fishermen and farmers, in Barangay Montecillo, Sariaya, Quezon on November 29. He is a member of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Magsasaka at Tagapagtaguyod sa Ikalawang Distrito-Quezon. He is known as an ardent defender of the rights of fishermen and farmers in Central Quezon.

Shooting. The 50th IB indiscriminately opened fire in Barangay Mataragan, Malibcong, Abra on November 20. The 50th IB claimed an “encounter” occurred in that area which was immediately denied by the New People’s Army-Abra. The alleged seizure of an M14, 3 M16, 1 K3 Light Machinegun, and two bandoliers by the 50th IB is also fabricated.