Even amid observation of farmers and indigenous peoples’ month, their rights continue to be violated by the military and police. In October, 32 individuals were illegally arrested, including at least 29 Mangyan, two NDFP peace consultants and a farmer from Negros. An organizer was also abducted and presented as a “surrenderee.”

In Occidental Mindoro, police and military forces arrested 29 Mangyan Iraya residents of Hacienda Almeda in Abra de Ilog last October 18, including 17 elderly and 12 minors. Colluding with Pieceland Corporation, the Almeda family has been trying to seize the hacienda. This is not the first time that the indigenous people are violently being driven away from their land.

In Davao del Norte, joint police and AFP forces arrested Porferio Tuna, a National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant, on October 2 in Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City. His arrest violates the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees between the Philippine government and the NDFP, which secures the safety of all parties involved in the peace talks.

In Ilocos Norte, state forces arrested Cordillera People’s Democratic Front spokesperson and NDFP peace consultant Simeon “Ka Filiw” Naogsan on October 21. Naogsan was brought to the Baccara Municipal Police Station and later transferred to an undisclosed location.

In Escalante City, Negros Occidental, the 79th IB arrested peasant leader Jose Puancing on October 7. The arrest was based on claims that arms and explosives were seized by the PNP and 79th IB during execution of a search warrant way back in 2019. The warrant was among the defective orders issued by Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert.

In Laguna, the AFP’s 203rd IBde abducted peasant organizer Fhobie Matias of the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan, on September 28 in Calamba City. Matias was meeting with Laguna farmers when abducted. After nearly two weeks, the 203rd IBde announced that they have taken custody of Matias, claiming that she had surrendered to them.

“Terrorism” charges. Charges of “terrorism financing” have been filed against indigenous small business owner Marcylyn Pilala, a resident of Barangay Gueday, Besao, Mountain Province. Pilala, a store owner, is being charged for providing food, medicine, and other supplies to the New People’s Army. A similar case was filed against Alaiza Lemita, sister of an activist killed by the military during the March 7, 2021 Bloody Sunday.

Lenville Salvador, former chairperson of the development organization Ilocos Center for Research, Empowerment and Development, was also charged with “terrorism financing.”

Harassment. In Barangay Mapalacsiao, Tarlac City, four suspected military agents stormed the residence of Francisco Dizon, chairperson of the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita, on October 18.

Police and the 31st MIB also blocked one of the vehicles used by farmers from Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City on October 18. The farmers were on their way to a gathering to commemorate the national peasant month.

Leaders of mass organization, Mimi Doringo, Manibela’s Mar Valbuena and Regie Manlapig, Piston’s Mody Floranda and Ruben Baylon, were charged with violating BP 880 or Public Assembly for organizing a strike and protest. They have been ordered to appear in court on November 14.