Soldiers of the 94th IB in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, sowed terror anew on January 14 and 15. The butchers illegally arrested civilians in the community and they have yet to be located by their relatives.

In Sitio Palosais, Barangay Mahalang, the 94th IB arrested a certain Dado Sanchez on January 14. Residents said Sanchez went to his charcoal kiln and never came back. The soldiers reportedly forced the victim to act as their guide in combat operations, which is a violation of international humanitarian law.

In Sitio Nahulop, Barangay San Antonio, soldiers arrested Aira Gonzales and Alfredo Hilado on January 15. Gonzales’s husband, Joseph, and his neighbor were beaten by the soldiers. Soldiers also falsely claim that a .45 caliber pistol, command-detonated explosives, and revolutionary documents were confiscated from the two. Their whereabouts are still unknown.

On the same day, 94th IB soldiers illegally confiscated the cellphones of Sitio Nahulop residents, claiming that residents had links with the New People’s Army.

This series of military abuses is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and the agreement signed by the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to respect human rights. It is a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

Lt. Col. Ziegfred Tayaban is the current commander of the 94th IB. The battalion is under the command and control of the 3rd ID led by Maj. Gen. Marion Sison.