Successive cases of assaults and rights violations targeted members of the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG) Inc in recent weeks. PDG Inc and Human Rights Advocates Negros (HRAN) condemned the Marcos regime for these attacks.

On January 18, 15th IB forces attempted to abduct Joselito Macapobre, a PDG Inc development worker who has been assisting farmers resisting Hacienda Asia Plantation Inc (HAPI). Macapobre was reportedly traveling by motorcycle in Barangay Caningay, Candoni when a black vehicle suddenly blocked his way.

Macapobre managed to escape and ran toward nearby houses to ask residents for help. Before the incident, 15th IB soldiers had repeatedly visited him at home, accusing him of being a recruiter for the New People’s Army (NPA).

Meanwhile, soldiers also harassed another PDG Inc member Analyn Merano on January 16 and 17. Merano received cellphone messages from someone claiming to be an National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) agent who threatened to harm her unless she “cooperate” with the agency.

She was accused of working for “an organization linked to the NPA.” The agent offered her a ₱30,000 monthly salary and assurances that she and her family would be safe if she “cooperated” with the military.

According to PDG Inc, both victims are active partners of poor farmers and indigenous people and are allies of communities defending the environment. “These incidents constitute grave violations of human rights and threaten the safety, livelihood, and democratic participation of rural communities,” the group said.

Before these incidents, several PDG Inc staff members had already been arrested for alleged “terrorism financing” under the Marcos regime. Among them were Perla Pavillar, Federico Salvilla, and former staff members Felipe Levy Gelle Jr and Clarissa Ramos.

The military has also attacked mass leaders and members of organizations that partner with or receive assistance from PDG Inc. These human rights violations occur amid ongoing military combat operations and the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in the communities.

Some cases include threats and coercion against a member of a local farmers’ association. The military forced him to monitor PDG Inc’s activities, particularly those of its staff member Merano.

HRAN condemned the military violence and militarization of farmers’ communities. The group also called on the people to defend human rights and denounce the military’s repression and harassment, including violations of the freedom of association.