Amid Christmas celebrations, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted unbridled attacks against the Filipino people. The last few days of December 2024 saw relentless cases of killings, arrests, and violations of international human rights law.

Killings. AFP soldiers stationed in Barangay Pagui, Uson, Masbate, shot and killed two young men on their way home from a Christmas party in the said barangay on the morning of December 27, 2024. They instantly killed 18-year-old Barangay Mongahay resident Redjan Monreal, and 14-year-old Barangay Mabini resident JP Osabel. Both victims were shot in the head.

The soldiers themselves admitted to the killings, claiming they mistook the two for armed NPA combatants.

Arrests. Police arrested three development workers associated with the Paghida-et Kauswagan Development Group Incorporated (PDG Inc) on January 2 in Negros Occidental. Federico Salvilla, Perla Jaleco, and Dharyll Albanez were arrested on charges of “terrorism financing,” a violation of the Terrorism Financing Act of 2012.

PDG Inc is an organization in the central and southern part of Negros Island that promotes the rights of farmers and fisherfolk for sustainable agriculture and social reforms.

Violations of international humanitarian law. On October 31, 2024, 12th IB soldiers captured Benmar Panoy (Ka Benmar) alive during an encounter in Sitio Hilwan, Barangay Manika, Libas, Aklan. The soldiers tied him up, shouted “advance happy new year” and fired multiple shots. They even dared comrades to retrieve the Red fighter’s remains from them.

On December 10, 2024, the 12th IB riddled with bullets the remains of Jason Katipunan (Ka Jason) who was killed in an encounter on December 9 in Barangay Tacayan, Tapaz, Capiz. According to the NPA, Ka Jason was immediately killed by a single bullet wound to the body. They laid the remains in a secluded area for his family to retrieve but AFP soldiers discovered it the following day.

In Oriental Mindoro, the 4th IB harassed and tormented the family of martyred NPA combatant Marife Gayadan, an Iraya-Mangyan, as they attempted to retrieve her remains. Gayadan was killed in an encounter between the 4th IB and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Tinis-an, Barangay San Vicente, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, on December 18, 2024. The soldiers finally seized the martyr’s remains to “bring it home.” The soldiers kept guard even during the wake.

Demolition. Over 100 hired goons demolished [urban poor] houses in Dalat, San Roque, Bangkal, Davao City, on December 21, 2024. According to the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)-Davao, the violent demolition of community homes injured three residents. The local government dispatched the demolition team.

Harassment. National Task Force (NTF)-Elcac personnel conducted surveillance on and harassed Gabriela-Southern Tagalog secretary general Krizia Cirujano during the holiday season. Two men who refused to identify themselves visited the Cirujano family’s home in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, on December 19, 2024.

Union busting. The capitalist owner of Paperland Inc. illegally terminated Reynato Ayroso, president of the Militanteng Manggagawa ng Paperland Inc. (MMPI-ANGLO-KMU) union on December 22, 2024. He was fired for asserting workers’ right to a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and other rights. The company charged Ayroso with “insubordination”. Ayroso has long been targeted for his fight for the CBA, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) inspections, and workers’ rights.