Soldiers of the 2nd IB killed farmers Pitot Clores and Onel Camposano in Purok 3, Bangay Simawa, Uson, Masbate this September 26. Karapatan-Masbate and Defend Bicol Stop the Attacks Network condemned the 2nd IB for its terrorism in Masbate.

“They are both civilians and farmers in their community,” Karapatan-Masbate said. They said the victims were just herding the water buffalo by the riverbank when they were killed by the military.

As its usual modus operandi, the 2nd IB falsely claimed having an encounter with a unit of the New People’s Army (NPA)-Masbate in that district at 5:40 in the morning which allegedly lasted for 20 minutes. They claimed killing the two peasants here and confiscated various guns and warfare weapons.

Residents of the area themselves confirmed on social media that the murder victims were not members of the people’s army. Villagers have also barraged the local media and radio’s social media posts with comments. One said “if you have a conscience as a person, please verify your report…because the ones you claim to be NPA…those are farmers.”

They also emphasized that the victims were family men. “(They were) people who fought fair against poverty, but what did you do? They were killed like animals. Where is our prevailing law?” they said.

Ang Bayan recorded Masbate as the second province in the country with the most victims of political killings under the Marcos regime. Clores and Camposano are the 34th and 35th killing victims of the 2nd IB in the province.