Combined forces of the police, its special units, and the 79th IB arrested five individuals on the night of April 22 in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. State forces accuse them of being Red fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) who allegedly escaped the bloody massacre in Toboso on April 19.

State forces claim they seized firearms and explosives from them. One of those arrested is Julie Ann Balora, a member of the national council of the Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (Union of Agricultural Workers). In her account, a van blocked their vehicle, followed by many other vehicles. Armed men aimed guns at them and ordered them to get off, kneel, and lower their heads. In detention, authorities interrogated them without a lawyer and subjected them to physical abuse.