Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s powerful bombs, cannons, and strafing disrupted the peace and rest hours of the residents of Tapaz, Capiz at 2:30 a.m. on August 22. The attacks gravely distressed and forced several families to evacuate their community.

Panay Alliance Karapatan condemned the military for its violence against the civilian community and called it “a grave violation of international humanitarian law (IHL).” IHL prohibits indiscriminate use of excessive force and attacks endangering civilian populations.

The 301st IBde justified the terrorist attack on communities by claiming it had “a major encounter” with the New People’s Army (NPA) at the boundary of the villages of Artuz, Tabon, and Agpalali in Tapaz. Recall that Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared in his fourth SONA in July that “no guerrilla groups remain” in the country.

Residents said they heard drones and helicopters circling in the early hours of August 22. Earth-shaking explosions followed, they said.

“This terrorizes, drives people away, and endangers civilians, including farmers and the indigenous Tumandok communities that have long been vulnerable,” Panay Alliance Karapatan stated.

The group demanded the US-Marcos regime and military officials to immediately stop the bombing, encirclement, and militarization in Tapaz and in other rural communities in Panay. “We also demand an independent investigation and accountability for the military units responsible for indiscriminate attacks,” the group said.

They said the government and its armed forces must comply with IHL, especially in protecting civilians during armed conflict, and withdraw military forces from civilian communities to ensure their safety. The group denounced the Marcos regime’s hypocritical commemoration of IHL month this August while simultaneously conducting bombings, shelling, and attacks against civilian populations.

Anakbayan Panay also joined in condemning military terrorism. They urged fellow youth and citizens to rise up and resist the bombings and militarization in the countryside.