Soldiers from the 15th IB and members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) abducted and then summarily killed 69-year-old farmer Ramon Enseniales on July 29 in Cauayan, Negros Occidental. As is the usual modus operandi of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the 15th IB falsely announced that Enseniales was a Red fighter killed in an armed encounter.

Residents who witnessed the incident reported that soldiers surrounded the house where Enseniales was staying in Sitio Pasto, Barangay Basak. He was taken out of the house, then led to the forest. A few hours later, residents heard a series of gunshots. They believe that the old man was subjected to severe torture before he was killed at around 1 pm.

“The statement of 303rd IBde commander, Brigadier General Joey Escanillas, contradicts the residents who said no encounter occured in Sitio Pasto,” human rights group September 21 Movement South Negros said. Residents insisted that Enseniales was a civilian and was unarmed.

They said that the AFP-PNP has been pursuing Enseniales for more than a decade on accusations that he supports the revolutionary movement. He has relocated several times and moved away from their community just to avoid harassment from the military and police.

The group said this kind of military modus in the countryside is not new. “Many of the farmers in Negros were killed and then accused of being members of the New People’s Army,” the group added.

Ang Bayan reported at least 67 victims were killed by state forces in the island of Negros under the Marcos regime. It has recorded 175 victims of political killings nationwide during Marcos’ two years in power.

The September 21 Movement South Negros also reported that the residents of this community and rural barangays are terrified because “anyone can be killed by the military.” The group called for an end to the militarization of the said barangay and nearby areas. They also demanded justice for the killing of Enseniales.

Meanwhile, Andrea Guerrero, spokesperson of the NPA-Southwest Negros (Armando Sumayang Jr Command), issued a statement clarifying that Enseniales was not a Red fighter. The NPA unit joined the masses in condemning the AFP-PNP and the Marcos regime for killing the elderly man.