Military abuses against the Filipino people continue relentlessly at the start of 2026. Cases of shooting, attempted abductions, the filing of trumped-up criminal charges, harassment, and other human rights violations were recorded since the second week of January.

In Samar, 46th IB soldiers fired an M203 grenade and shot two young siblings in Sitio San Pedro, Barangay 3, San Jose de Buan on the afternoon of January 3. The two were hauling charcoal to sell when they encountered three soldiers who suddenly opened fire at them.

The younger sibling was hit in the chest, hand, and foot and was left at the scene of the shooting. The family never knew of the still missing child’s condition. The older sibling managed to escape unharmed.

In Negros Occidental, 15th IB troopers attempted to abduct Joselito Macapore, development worker of Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group Inc. (PDG) development worker, and supporter of peasants resisting the Hacienda Asia Plantation Inc. (HAPI). He was reportedly traveling by motorcycle on January 17 in Barangay Caningay, Candoni when a black vehicle suddenly blocked the road. Macapobre escaped, ran to a nearby house, and sought residents’ help. Prior to the incident, 15th IB soldiers repeatedly went to his home and accused him of being a New People’s Army recruiter.

Meanwhile, soldiers also reportedly threatened another PDG member Analyn Mirano on January 16 and 17.

Cases of harassment and intimidation have also been reported in barangays of Kabankalan City, Himamaylan City, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla since the second week of January. Soldiers summon residents to pressure them to “surrender.”

In Negros Oriental, around 50 62nd IB soldiers encamped for several days at Kambairan Elementary School in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City starting January 6. The same troops also harassed several barangays in Canlaon City.

In Metro Manila, sedition and other charges were filed against Bagong Alyansang Makabayan president Renato Reyes Jr, campus journalist Jacob Baluyot, and 32 others in an attempt to silence and suppress anti-corruption protests.