The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) killed four farmers in Masbate and Negros Occidental last May. They all were falsely claimed as New People’s Army members killed in an “encounter.” The arrest of three civilians, including an infant, was also recorded last month.

Killing. In Masbate, the 96th IB killed 31-year-old farmer Erlindo Natural on May 7 in Barangay Holjogon, Mobo. Natural is the 29th victim of political killings in the province under the Marcos regime.

In Negros Occidental, at least 24 troops of the 62nd IB stormed the home of the dela Peña family in Sitio Inangaw, Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla on May 21 in the morning. Soldiers indiscriminately fired at the house, illegally arrested Richard dela Peña, took him away from his house and killed him willfully.

On May 22, soldiers of the 79th IB deliberately murdered farmer Jeje Redobles in Sityo Manaysay, Barangay Camabayobo, Calatrava. Redobles is an ordinary tuber and banana farmer.

Farmer Jigger Barotolo was killed with four shots on May 30 in Sitio Sangay, Barangay Hilub-ang, Calatrava. The 79th IB agents summoned Barotolo while he was tending to his carabao prior to killing him.

Arrest. In Masbate, state forces arrested Tinay Ontog in Barangay Maglambong, Monreal town on May 18.

On an unspecified date, state forces also arrested Baby Arnejo and her infant child in Barangay Madao, Uson. At their insistence, villagers retained the baby and placed him in proper care while his mother was detained.

Abduction. Joy Delica, 32, has been missing for more than two months now since he was abducted by at least 30 soldiers of the 4th ID from a home in Barangay New Compostella, Damulog, Bukidnon on March 18. His hands and feet were bound when he was boarded into the soldiers’ vehicle.

The soldiers barred residents who insisted on accompanying Delica to ensure his safety. His whereabouts remain unknown to date.