The Marcos regime and its armed forces have relentlessly sowed violence against the people in recent weeks. Two cases of killings, shootings, and harassment of mass leaders in the Visayas have been recorded.

On the night of October 5, the combined forces of the military and police killed Roberto Cabales and farmer Matteo Suarez in Barangay Coto, Lambunao, Iloilo. The police and military claimed that the two fought back while being served arrest warrants. The revolutionary movement in Panay refuted this accusation and said that the two were unarmed.

In Samar, the 43rd IB and the paramilitary group Dos killed 65-year-old farmer Veronico “Tatay Birong” Anterio on September 16 in Barangay Carolina, Matuguinao. He was targeted for having served as a voice of resistance against the military rule of the 43rd IB and the paramilitary group Dos over their community. Anterio bravely faced the fascist 43rd IB to denounce its oppressive measures and encampment on Barangay Carolina.

Shootings. Guards and private armed forces indiscriminately fired at farm workers in Hacienda Escolastica, Barangay Mabini, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on September 30. The shots injured seven farmers. The guards also destroyed and stole the farmers’ corn crops. They are being harassed for fighting for land rights in the hacienda.

Harassment. On September 29, police filed a complaint for violation of Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act against Cebu mass leaders Nanay Bebe Allere of Panaghupong-Kadamay, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Central Visayas’ Jaime Paglinawan, Bayan Muna’s John Ruiz, AMA-SUGBO-KMU’s Howell Villacrucis, and others. The complaint is related to an anti-corruption protest at the Cebu City District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways Region VII on September 5.

Meanwhile, the 503rd IBde also harassed and Red-tagged Beatrice “Betty” Belen when they visited her in Barangay Uma Del Norte, Lubuagan, Kalinga on September 28–29. She is the current Innabuyog-Kalinga chairperson and a former political prisoner.