Armed Forces of the Philippines elements harassed and threatened International Solidarity Mission (ISM) delegates who conducted an investigation and study from October 11 to 14. The delegation was in the Philippines to examine the climate crisis, environmental plunder, and militarization in farming and indigenous communities in Rizal and the islands of Mindoro, Samar, Leyte, and Negros.

Soldiers openly surveilled and photographed ISM activities. They took the delegates’ names, trailed them while armed, and followed them up to their accommodations. Drones were also repeatedly flown over encampments where investigations were conducted.

On October 14, the arrival of dozens of police and soldiers armed with high-powered rifles at the encampment forced the delegates to prematurely end their activities in Mindoro. This terrorized the indigenous people and the delegates. In Rizal, authorities blatantly prohibited them from holding activities for having no “permit.” The soldiers continuously harassed the indigenous Mangyan in Mindoro and the Dumagat in Rizal even after the visiting delegation left.

The Dumagat in Tanay, Rizal, reported that military presence in their community intensified, and soldiers started summoning residents for questioning after the ISM. In Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, soldiers continued to harass the community, affecting the livelihood of residents and starved the farmers.

While harassing the ISM, the military also commiteed abuses in other parts of the country.

Fascist attacks in Negros. Military assaults and fascist aggression have been relentless on the island in recent months. Numerous cases of human rights violations were documented during combat operations in several villages.

The most recent of these was the 79th IB’s shooting that injured farmer Kato Rizal and his minor nephew while collecting honey in Sitio Nabaisan, Barangay Minapasok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on the morning of October 17. As of the latest report, the whereabouts of the minor remain unknown.

On October 7, the 94th IB raided a farmer’s house in Sitio Manluki, Barangay Carabalan. The same unit abducted another farmer in Barangay Buenavista and forcibly used him as a guide for a combat operation. In Toboso, the 79th IB forcibly entered and ransacked the homes of two farmers on October 11. In Negros Oriental, the 62nd IB reportedly looted and encamped in community centers, churches, and schools.

IHL violation. The 703rd IBde harassed and repressed families and human rights groups trying to retrieve the body of an alleged Red fighter killed in a clash between the military and the NPA in Norzagaray, Bulacan on October 17. Human rights organizations condemned the military for refusing to release the remains to the family and for militarizing the funeral home hosting the remains. The military gave conflicting accounts of the encounter and the body’s delivery.

In North Caloocan, NTF-Elcac and the 12th Civil Military Operation intensified the militarization across villages beginning October 6. The military encamped in Barangays 175, 181–182 Pangarap Village, and 187–188. They conducted Red-tagging and harassment campaigns against members of progressive groups.

Killing. Men on motorcycles brutally killed Niruh Kyle Antatico on October 10 in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. Antatico was a former senior National Irrigation Administration Region 10 legal researcher who reportedly exposed the agency’s widespread corruption and anomalies, including missing funds, substandard projects, and fake contracts. Nafeda-Courage called for justice for Antatico.