Relentless violations of human rights were perpetrated by forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in recent weeks.

Shooting. On January 19, 61-year-old Marcial Detalo, a farmer and former barangay councilor, was shot in the back when soldiers of the 2nd IB opened fire in Sitio Balunos, Barangay Rizal, Dimasalang, Masbate. To cover up the crime and endangerment of civilians, the 2nd IB maliciously reported to the media that Detalo was hit by a bullet from the New People’s Army (NPA)-Masbate during a supposed encounter in the area.

Arrest. On January 27, state forces arrested 70-year-old veteran activist Myrna Cruz-Abraham in San Rafael, Bulacan. The victim was apprehended on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by a Cagayan court in connection with charges of attempted murder and murder. Human rights groups reported that Cruz-Abraham was released after eight days.

“Terrorism financing.” Five activists from Cagayan Valley were charged with fabricated cases of “terrorism financing.”

Charged were peasant leader Isabelo Adviento, peasant advocate Cita Managuelod, Makabayan Cagayan Valley coordinator Agnes Mesina, human rights defender Jackie Valencia, and journalist Deo Montesclaros. All have long been advocating for the rights and welfare of the people of Cagayan Valley and the Filipino people.

Demolition. While residents were fast asleep at 2 a.m. of January 29, 200 goons and personnel of land grabber Caroline Piñeda treacherously attacked Dalat/Purok 47, San Roque, Bangkal, Davao City to carry out demolition operations. The goons demolished and ransacked 20 homes in the said community. The incident is part of a series of demolitions since December 2024.

In Laguna, residents denounced the arrival on January 31 of an 8-10 person demolition team in Barangay Nueva, San Pedro, Laguna to implement the threatened demolition along the railroad. On January 7, the Department of Transportation warned locals of the eviction that day despite having no “court order” for demolition.

Forced surrender. The Philippine Army conducted a new series of militarization and forced “registration” against fisherfolk members of Timek La Union in Barangay San Manuel Norte, Agoo, La Union on January 20. Seven Philippine Army personnel in plain clothes led by a “Captain Fernandez” reportedly went around the said barangay. The soldiers carried a list containing 30 names of current and former members of Timek La Union and were looking for them to “register” their organization.

In Masbate, the AFP deployed soldiers in the adjacent barangays of Baang, Sawmill, Barag and Mapuyo in the town of Mobo, Masbate on January 27 to pursue and force the “surrender” of a civilian named Sony Diamos.