Units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continue to unleash military violence in Negros Island. In the first weeks of January alone, the butchers already committed extra-judicial killings, illegal arrests and other human rights violations.

Murder. Soldiers of the 15th IB deliberately killed Red fighter Rodney Lumanog (Ka Wanny) of the New People’s Army (NPA)-Southwest Negros (Armando Sumayang Jr Command) on January 10 in Sitio Cambogui-ot, Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental. According to the NPA unit, Ka Wanny was captured alive following an armed conflict in the area.

Reports indicate that he was tortured and killed by soldiers. Ka Wanny had an operation and stainless steel implants for his leg disability in the 1990s.

Arrests. In Sitio Palosais, Barangay Mahalang, the 94th IB arrested a person named Dado Sanchez on January 14. Residents said the victim went to his charcoal kiln and never returned. Sanchez was said have been forced by soldiers to guide them in their combat operation.

In Sitio Nahulop, Barangay San Antonio, soldiers arrested Aira Gonzales and Alfredo Hilado on January 15. Gonzales’ husband, Joseph, and his accompanying neighbor were beaten. A .45-caliber pistol, command-detonated explosives, and documents were allegedly confiscated from them. On the same day, 94th IB soldiers illegally confiscated the cellphones of the residents of Sitio Nahulop.

Threats. On January 3, soldiers of the 94th IB threatened to shoot the Tasi couple and their neighbors in Sitio Kambudlis, Barangay Mahalang.

Repression. Two United Methodist Church (UMC) officials and a driver were charged with “terrorism financing”. State forces accuse Rev. Julius Neri Camannong and Rev. Joel Ordaneza of UMC in Zamboanga Sibugay, and driver Romeo A. Russell of providing financial assistance to “terrorists.”

The case is related to the pastors granting sanctuary to the oppressed human rights defenders in January 2024 in Zamboanga Sibugay. The police used the narrative of former activist now state agent Nelson Bautista Jr as basis to prosecute the victims.