National Democratic Front (NDF)-Negros spokesperson Ka Bayani Obrero slammed Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr after giving “streamer awards” to military troops under the 303rd Brigade based on “gross human rights violations they committed against peasant communities amid a socioeconomic and humanitarian crisis in Negros Island.”

Brawner conferred the CGPA Significant Accomplishment Streamer Award to the 303rd Brigade, 79th IB, 62nd IB, 94th IB, 33rd DRC and 33rd MICO during his visit to 303rd Brigade headquarters in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental on October 13, 2022.

The AFP’s “heightened operational tempo” in the island has led to an upsurge in military atrocities against the people, especially after relentless focused military operations all over Negros Island since August, Obrero said.

“The 303rd brigade is the ‘top scorer’ for atrocious crimes and violations of human rights under the leadership of Pasaporte and Arevalo,” Obrero added. “The AFP are fooling themselves because the truth is clear to the people that there is an increasing number of victims of violence due to militarization.”

Obrero highlighted the AFP’s violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Protocol I of the Geneva Convention for murdering nine revolutionaries rendered hors de combat this 2022, most recently the “cold-blooded killing” of Romeo “Ka Juanito Magbanua” Nanta last October 10 in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

“The Martial Law-like lockdown in Himamaylan City and Binalbagan, curfews, forced evacuation of over 18,000 people, and military takeover of the LGUs and DSWD is the AFP’s knee-jerk reaction to their failure of defeating the NPA,” Obrero said.

Mount Cansermon Command – New People’s Army South Central Negros Front (MCC-NPA) spokesperson Ka Dionesio Magbuelas also condemned the 94th IB for illegal searches, intimidation, physical abuse and enforced evacuation of residents in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City in a statement last Thursday.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command – NPA Central Negros Front through spokesperson Ka JB Regalado also exposed the hamletting and illegal search conducted by 300-400 combined troops of the 62nd IB, 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company, and 16th Scout Ranger Company in barangays Bulado, Basak, Binobohan, Tacpao and Humay-humay in Guihulngan City.

Regalado stated that state forces posed as NPA members while perpetrating human rights violations, even amid the onslaught of Typhoon Paeng.

Meanwhile, Ka Andrea Guerrero, spokesperson of the Armando Sumayang Jr Command – NPA Southwest Negros Front reported incidents of indiscriminate firing, intimidation, forced surrender as NPA members and theft of farm animals in Cauayan and Sipalay City by the 47th IB under the 302nd Brigade in September and October.

Guerrero denounced military bombing in Sipalay City last September 27-30 causing fear among residents and harming farm animals and the environment as well. ###