Human rights violations against farmers, fisherfolk, and student youth by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the local government have been recorded in recent weeks.

Demolition. Pamalakaya-Cavite (National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organizations in the Philippines) condemned the Bacoor City local government demolition team for its illegal demolition of fisherfolk’s homes in Barangay Talaba 2 on June 15. The personnel carried no documents, only a “verbal order.” Based on the group’s dialogue with Mayor Strike Revilla in May, the fisherfolk were supposed to stay until July and those most affected would be provided a fisherman’s dorm or housing.

Pieceland Corporation personnel forcibly evicted residents and destroyed around 14 remaining houses of indigenous Mangyan-Iraya on June 1 in Sitio Malatabako, Barangay San Vicente, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. The incident followed the April 8 decision of the Abra de Ilog Municipal Trial Court that found nine Mangyan-Iraya guilty of “other forms of trespass.”

Abduction and torture. Plainclothes 5th ID agents forcibly abducted Angel Lopez, a councilor of the UP Diliman University Student Council and a volunteer of Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines, on June 13 while conducting an information and education campaign in Barangay Kakiduguen, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. They subjected him to psychological and emotional torture while in military custody. He was in the area to support the campaign of communities that will be affected by the operations of North Luzon Mineral Resources Corporation. The 86th IB is encamped at the Kakiduguen barangay hall to suppress residents’ resistance to mining in their community.

Militarization. Communities in Central Negros remain under the 62nd IB’s militarization since June 7. On June 8, soldiers illegally searched homes in the sitios of Punong, Nabakalan, Anahaw, Tribu, Laos, and Agpapataw located along the boundary of the barangays of Trinidad, Sandayao, and Binobohan in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. Meanwhile, troops encamped at Agogolo Elementary School in Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, terrorizing and disrupting teachers and students. Residents’ livelihoods are also severely affected.