The 82nd IB troops shot and killed Peter Agudes, a farmer also known as “Tito,” in Barangay Minan, Tapaz, Capiz on February 26, and injured two of Agudes’ companions. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) falsely claimed that Agudes was killed in an armed encounter between soldiers and the New People’s Army (NPA).

Perla Agudes, the victim’s wife, vehemently denied that the three were Red fighters. The family is calling for justice and a fair investigation. The Agudes family resides in Sitio Taroytoy, Barangay Manica, Libacao, Aklan. Peter left behind three children aged 10, 13, and 16.

Massacre. The 26th IB soldiers mercilessly massacred the Gomansil family—Toto Gomansil, Toni Gomansil, and their daughter Celine Gomansil—at Dayuman River, Barangay San Vicente, Esperanza, Agusan Del Sur on December 15, 2024. Months after the heinous crime, justice or accountability for the massacre remains evasive.

Before the crime, the Gomansil family even asked the soldiers deployed at a nearby detachment, for permission to work on their farm. Despite their “notification,” the soldiers followed them, tied up the couple Toto and Toni, and subjected them to intense interrogation before hacking them to death. The soldiers shot Celine when she tried to run. They were accused of having links with the NPA and the revolutionary movement in the province.

Aerial terrorism. Trauma and terror resulted from the military helicopters’ strafing in the barangays of La Paz, Agusan del Sur, and Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on March 4. The helicopters fired indiscriminately on the pretext of supporting AFP ground operations against the people’s army, affecting civilians. The soldiers also deployed FA50 fighter jets armed with 250-lb or 500-lb bombs, but were called off after one of the three jet fighters went missing.