Simultaneous operations of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines arrested 10 individuals in Tarlac City and Quezon City on March 11, including Gabriel Kennedy Bangibang, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant for the Cordillera and national minority affairs. They were accused of being members and officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines Regional Committee and New People’s Army in Ilocos-Cordillera.

Bangibang, Dr. Ana Marie Rilloroza, Theresa Forag, Ranee Francella Tuazon, Renato Ginez, Marc Mendiola, and Javar Sugao were taken from a house in Barangay Baras-baras, Tarlac City. The seven were charged with murder, attempted murder, qualified trafficking, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives. During the arrest, they were repeatedly struck on the head, punched in the face and stomach, and had their faces smashed against the floor.

In Quezon City, Jess Gamay Lang-ay, Bobby Calsiyao Yag-ao, and another individual were arrested. Yag-ao is detained, but Gamay and his other companion went missing after the police allegedly released them without charges. Their families cannot locate or contact them and have expressed grave concern.

Elsewhere in the country, incidents of shooting, physical assault, and military encampment in civilian areas were reported.

In Negros Occidental, 15th IB soldiers opened fire on civilian driver Gary Jorpo on the night of March 6 in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, wounding his leg. On March 9 and 11, the 79th IB chanced upon, threatened and mauled an elderly farmer and two brothers in Barangay Paitan, Escalante City. In some areas of Central Negros, the military continues to encamp on civilian facilities and relentlessly summon residents.

The 2nd IB entered two schools in Barangay Libertad, Cawayan, Masbate on March 10. Soldiers scanned each student’s face, searching for alleged rebels’ children. The military has also been encamped in civilian facilities in the towns of Palanas, Cataingan, and Cawayan since January.

The AFP imposed a hamlet on the villages of Poponton, Paco, Caputo-an, Lakandula, Victory, and Cuenco in Las Navas, Northern Samar. Residents leaving their villages are forced to sign a logbook and take a number as “proof” of being civilians. The military also tightened control over goods and products. In Catubig, 19th IB soldiers threatened a 15-year-old boy in Barangay Opong.