The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) is calling for justice for the killing of farmer Elorde Almario, 43, a resident of San Carlos, Milagros, Masbate on April 2. Almario is the 27th farmer killed by state armed forces in the island under the Marcos regime.

The Karapatan report says four CAFGU members abducted Almario from his farm around 2 pm that day. After several hours of searching, the family found Almario’s body not far from their house. The family reported that the body has gunshot wounds and traces of torture.

“With 27 victims of counterinsurgency related extrajudicial killings in less than two years of Marcos Jr.’s rule, Masbate is fast becoming known as the ‘killing fields’ of Bicol,” according to the group.

On April 4, the same CAFGU group abducted Nonong Monteseban, former [barangay] captain of San Carlos. After being beaten, he was released by the fascists because of a mistaken identity.

These serious violation is taking place in the midst of intensified militarization in the said barangay. San Carlos is among those the military has tagged a “hotspot of the counterinsurgency” campaign, which considers all residents in the community to be members or supporters of the New People’s Army. Just like the previous civilians killed by the military, the victims were tortured before being killed to sow intense terror in the community.