Tanggol Quezon condemned the 85th IB and Philippine National Police (PNP) for their illegal arrest of two civilians in Lucena City on March 27. State forces arrested and detained Darwin Palo and Jay-Ar Molantes on multiple criminal charges.

PNP tagged Palo, a farmer from Lopez, Quezon, as one of the “most wanted” criminals in the Calabarzon region. The police said Palo faced six arrest warrants for cases of double homicide, attempted homicide, multiple attempted murders, attempted murder, frustrated homicide, and violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Additionally, state forces accused Palo a collector for the New People’s Army for the group’s so-called “permit-to-campaign” during the 2025 elections. Meanwhile, the police filed no report on Molantes’ arrest.

Tanggol Quezon’s investigation into the incident revealed that the two were merely traveling to Bulacan for work. The police and military reportedly apprehended them at Lucena Grand Terminal with planted firearms.

The victims recounted that they were arrested without being shown arrest warrants or being read their Miranda Rights, which supposedly state their rights as accused individuals.

The victims also refuted police and military claims that they were fleeing a checkpoint. In fact, they said state agents had been following and monitoring them since they left Lopez.

“This is clearly another case of human rights violations against ordinary citizens in Quezon province. Instead of addressing the worsening crisis of unemployment and farmland inadequacy, the government’s response to the people is intensified repression,” said the group.

Meanwhile, the 2nd ID flaunted Palo’s arrest. Maj. Gen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr said it was “another significant victory” in weakening the influence of the NPA in the province.

It can be recalled that back in June 2023, the military and local government declared Quezon province “insurgency-free.”