Peasant leader Ronnie Manalo is set to file a case against the NTF-Elcac this February, seven months after 80th IB soldiers and police violently raided his residence in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

“Ka Ronnie is only justified to file counter-charges against the military,” said the Karapatan group. “He incurred significant losses and his community was terrorized because of countless cases of harassment from state forces.”

Manalo was slapped with trumped-up charges of illegal possession of firearms which the military allegedly confiscated when they raided his house on June 18, 2024. He was also charged with violating the anti-terror law. The San Jose del Monte prosecutor dismissed the case. The prosecutor said the police failed to prove that a gun was recovered from Manalo’s house.

Karapatan said the military must be held accountable for the damage it has caused to Manalo’s family and his community. Among the things the state is reponsible for is the death of Manalo’s wife, Marcelina, whom soldiers repeatedly threatened and harassed. Marcelina died after suffering a heart attack while filing a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights regarding the raid on their home.

After the raid, the 80th IB militarized at least six sitios in Barangay San Roque, Barangay Paradise 3, and Barangay Tungkong Mangga, covering 400 families, according to Karapatan.

It greatly affected the residents’ lives and livelihood. Karapatan has recorded at least 20 cases of human rights violations and international humanitarian law. This includes the soldiers’ illegal encampment in the Tungkong Mangga barangay hall and summoning farmers for interrogation.

“Justice must be given to Ka Ronnie, his family and community in San Jose del Monte. At the same time, we call for the dismantling of NTF-Elcac,” according to the group.