KARAPATAN-SOUTHERN TAGALOG and other groups quickly dispatched teams to Batangas and Quezon last week to ensure that the reactionary state forces respect international humanitarian law. They assisted the peasant masses and supported the relatives of the New People’s Army Red fighters in securing their rights.

In Batangas, the group and family handled the retrieval of the bodies of fighters Junalice Arante-Isita (Ka Arya), Bernardo Bagaas (Ka Mamay/Mike) and Erickson Cueto (Ka Ricky/Vale) who were killed in the attack by 59th IB on March 26 in Barangay Elvita (Tubahan), Rosario, Batangas.

In Quezon, they helped the family of Divine Sureta (Ka Zoe) and Paul Cruz (Ka Isko), fighters who were martyred in the Guiniyangan encounter on March 28.

On both occasions, they were subjected to pressure by police and military forces. The families suffered extreme delays in receiving the remains of their relatives, and even the communities where the vigils were held were disturbed. Despite this, they courageously asserted the rights of families and demanded respect for international humanitarian law.

The group also sent a team to Calauag, Quezon to find the whereabouts and condition of Randy Reota, who the military reported as a surrendered member of the NPA on March 25. They want to ensure that Reota’s rights are respected.