Tanggol Quezon, a human rights group, conducted a fact-finding mission on August 3 in the town of Tagkawayan, Quezon. The mission aimed to investigate possible human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL) when soldiers strafed and dropped aerial bombs in Barangay Maguibuay, Tagkawayan and its neighboring barangays on the afternoon of August 2.

Residents reported that soldiers used two helicopters for the strafing and aerial bombing. The soldiers claimed retaliating against the New People’s Army (NPA)-Quezon (Apolonio Mendoza Command) following an encounter on the morning of August 2. The National Democratic Front-Southern Tagalog confirmed the encounter took place and that a Red fighter died in the firefight.

Tanggol Quezon expressed concern about the impact on civilian communities of the military’s use of excessive and superior war weapons. Such actions typically cause fear, trauma, and anxiety among the affected barangays.

According to initial reports, residents heard loud explosions. Those making boats in the forest experienced earthquake-scale tremors from the shockwave of the exploding bombs.

Tanggol Quezon’s fact-finding mission intends to further verify and investigate these reports. Before they even arrived in the town of Tagkawayan, police and military relentlessly harassed and surveilled the group. From the town of Lopez, unidentified men on motorcycles reportedly tailed, surveilled, and openly photographed and videographed the group.

Soldiers also posted false information and slander against Tanggol Quezon on social media. The 85th IB circulated certifications of “Validation of Legitimate Encounter” and “Resolution No. 050-2025” from the Maguibuay Barangay Council to justify their militarization.

Tanggol Quezon said, “The military has included producing and distributing these documents within its formula to cover up the intense military operations in barangays under their Focused Military Operations (FMO) and the possible human rights violations against civilians and even its opposing forces.”

In addition, the group expressed concern about the renewed issuance of “persona non grata” declarations listing almost all mass organizations in the province and region that are concerned about the human rights situation in the area and want to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.