The 62nd IB soldiers captured and deliberately killed New People’s Army-Central Negros Red fighter Tony Pahayahay (Ka Pidol) on May 1 in Barangay Humay-humay, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. Pahayahay sustained injuries during the encounter, and troops captured him one kilometer from the site of the clash. Meanwhile, soldiers captured another wounded Red fighter and have not yet revealed his identity.

Human rights violations continue in other parts of the country.

Arrest. Police arrested 10 residents and indigenous Molbog people in Sitio Marihangin, Barangay Bugsuk, Balabac, Palawan on May 15. The indigenous people oppose San Miguel Corporation for claiming their land to build a resort covering more than 5,500 hectares.

Militarization. Several barangays in the towns of Baleno and Masbate City have been under RCSP since March. According to PKM-Masbate, the military represses residents’ mobility and food consumption. The military also openly steals their livestock.

Red-tagging. Intense Red-tagging forced two student leaders from UP Cebu to withdraw from running for student council elections on campus this May. The two candidates and their families experienced great fear after their photos and names appeared on social media, linking them to the armed revolutionary movement.