Once again, the 62nd IB launched a fascist attack on civilian farmers accused of having connections with the New People’s Army (NPA) in the barangays of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental last week. Cases of physical assault, gun threats, and illegal interrogations were document, which involved surrenderers and active assets of the 62nd IB.

On November 8, 62nd IB soldiers beat up 38-year-old farmer Boyet Ospar in Sitio Manlibod, Barangay Trinidad. Soldiers accompanied by a military agent named Yuling Landeza visited Ospar.

According to the NPA-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command), Landeza repeatedly implicates civilians to the revolutionary movement in exchange for reward money from the 62nd IB. Residents also refuted the accusation that Ospar was a Red fighter and confirmed that he was just a civilian farmer.

On November 5, the 62nd IB visited and interrogated the Dayono and Geronimo families in Sitio Ponong, accusing them of being NPA members. Landeza was also present and directly participated in the intimidation, interrogation, and illegal entry into the families’ homes.

Soldiers pointed their guns at Loring Geronimo while questioning her. They also physically assaulted a minor, bruising his side.

Other traitors and 62nd IB informants present with the soldiers and Landeza include Reymart Dayanan, Orlan dela Peña, and Junbim Vargasa.

Meanwhile, recent weeks also saw soldiers illegally occupied and encamped in schools in Central Negros. Military presence has been reported in schools in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City; Sitio Paliran, Barangay Pinocawan, Vallehermoso; and Barangay Bucalan, Canlaon City. Encampment on civilian facilities is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

In light of this, NPA-Central Negros spokesperson Ka JB Regalado called on residents not to be afraid and to stand up for their human rights. “Amid severe oppression and exploitation, raising our [militancy] is imperative,” the spokesperson said.