The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Masbate (KMM) strongly condemned the 2nd Infantry Battalion (IB) for terrorizing students and teachers at Libertad National High School and Libertad Elementary School in Barangay Libertad, Cawayan, Masbate on March 10.

Parents reported that soldiers scanned the faces of each student in search for someone. This intensely terrified and caused anxiety among students, parents, and teachers. Some parents became too frightened to send their children to school. Parents and teachers suspect that the soldiers were looking for students accused of being members of a revolutionary group. The military was also rumored to be targeting the children of parents they are “forcing to surrender,” they said.

Meanwhile, villages in the towns of Palanas, Cataingan, and Cawayan have been under militarization since mid-January. Soldiers have turned public facilities—including barangay halls, covered courts, health centers, plazas, and schools—into their detachments or barracks. According to KMM, the soldiers are endangering residents’ safety by occupying their communities.

Soldiers were also reportedly threatening barriofolks during meetings held in barangays in Cataingan. Residents said the soldiers threatened shooting their houses if they continued to have ties with revolutionary group members.

Additional soldiers were reported deployed to Barangay San Carlos in Palanas town on March 11. Residents fear the military plans to encamp in their community.

KMM called on the people of Masbate to expose the soldiers’ human rights violations.