Over 200 troops from the 903rd IBde arrived in Masbate on March 13. The unit’s area of responsibility covers the provinces of Sorsogon, Masbate, and parts of Albay. The troops were deployed in the tri-boundary barangays of Palanas, Dimasalang, and Cataingan to launch focused and sustained military operations in the Dumalinding mountain range.

At the same time, the military is conducting a Modified Community Support Sustainment Program (MCSSP) in the village centers of Salvacion, Intusan, San Isidro, San Antonio, Buenasuerte, Parina, Bigaa, Matugnao, and San Carlos in the town of Palanas. In each barangay, at least eight soldiers are carrying out the so‑called “developmental” MCSSP program and are repeatedly summoning civilians to coerce them into its bogus surrender program.

The military also plans to build a command post in Barangay San Carlos in the town of Palanas. Around 30 troopers are currently encamped in the plaza and barangay hall after residents refused to allow the use of their old or vacant houses and for the military set up its camp on their land. Residents say they fear a permanent military presence in their community once a detachment or camp is established there.

The military is currently operating in the towns of Cawayan and Placer, while troop numbers fluctuate as forces deploy into barangays in the towns of Esperanza and Pio V. Corpuz.

New People’s Army (NPA)–Masbate (Jose Rapsing Command) spokesperson Ka Luz del Mar said the policies the military is enforcing in the barangays have lessened peasants’ time to earn a living and has further shrunken their income. This worsens the Masbate masses’ suffering amid the present crisis, as prices of basic goods rise because of the US imperialist war in the Middle East and the Marcos regime’s incompetence.

Residents have also expressed alarm whenever the troops get drunk, since they often fire their guns even in public places. On top of that, the military relentlessly subject civilians targetted for “surrender,” to harassment, including surveillance, threats, and filing fabricated cases against relatives of those suspected of being members of the NPA. The military also forces “surrendered” civilians to act as assets in the area and directly participate in operations.

The military has dumped additional forces into Masbate after the new 903rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Angelo Lutera recently declared that the province is a priority. This is part of the military’s desperate attempt to crush the NPA and block any activity it may launch in connection with its upcoming 57th anniversary, Ka Luz explained.

The NPA–Masbate calls on human‑rights advocates to launch an investigation and expose the crimes of the AFP. It also calls on barangay and municipal officials to protect their people from abuse and violations of their rights.