APCHRP: Release Juan Sumilhig’s Remains Now! Oppose the De Facto Martial Law in Mindoro Province
The Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) strongly condemns the brutal killing of a civilian farmer, Juan Sumilhig, by elements of the 4th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army. This dastardly attack by the military occurred on the morning of August 1, 2025, in Sitio Salidang, Barangay Naibuan, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
In an attempt to cover up the killing, the military falsely claimed that an armed encounter had occurred between the New People’s Army (NPA) and the 4th IB. However, a fact-finding mission conducted by human rights organization, Karapatan Southern Tagalog, clearly established that Sumilhig was a civilian and not a combatant. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has since circulated this farcical narrative that Sumilhig is an alleged enemy combatant on social media and among the public, in a desperate attempt to justify and conceal the extrajudicial killing.
Karapatan Southern Tagalog also reported that during their humanitarian mission, their members were subjected to surveillance by military agents as they visited various government offices and funeral homes. Military agents even camped outside the funeral home where Sumilhig’s body was kept. Notably, no personnel from the San Jose Local Government Unit (LGU) was present to assist.
The humanitarian team was repeatedly passed from one agency to another – from the AFP, PNP, and local government units – in what appeared to be deliberate efforts to obstruct their retrieval of the remains. Their members were also met with unjustified bureaucracy, including by the Office of the Mayor who told them that it had to obtain permission from the military first before releasing Sumilhig’s cadaver. Tellingly, Mayor Rey Lagada himself admitted to Karapatan’s members that if the military refused, “there is nothing [he] can do.” This statement reflects a blatant surrender of civilian authority to the military and underscores the alarming presence of de facto martial law now unfolding on the island of Mindoro.
To this day, Sumilhig’s remains have not yet been retrieved. This is clear evidence of the military’s utter disregard for the life and dignity of the victim of their violent counter-insurgency operations. This also constitutes a grave violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), as well as International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which obligates all parties in armed conflict to respect and protect civilians and their remains.
This is not the first incident of violence committed by the 4th IB in Mindoro. They were also involved in the killing of Jay-el Maligday, an indigenous Hanunuo-Mangyan youth who was shot inside their home in Sitio Suryawon, Barangay Nasucob, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro on April 7, 2024. The 4th IB was likewise responsible for the killing of a farmer named Hulyo Agtay. Both victims were accused of being members of the New People’s Army (NPA), much like Sumilhig.
Mindoro is known for its rich natural resources, which have made it a target for large-scale mining, renewable energy projects, and ecotourism initiatives. These developments have paved the way for the deployment of mercenary military forces to sow violence against Indigenous Peoples and communities across the island of Mindoro.
The Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) calls for the immediate release of Juan Sumilhig’s body and urges the military to respect the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and international humanitarian law (IHL). The continued withholding of his remains is a gross violation of these agreements and further dehumanizes the victim and his family.
Moreover, we call on the Marcos Jr. administration to immediately pull out military forces from the entire island of Mindoro, as their presence has only intensified human rights violations in the region. Instead of protecting communities, these forces have become instruments of repression, fear, and violence against Indigenous Peoples and civilians.
We also call on international communities to expose and oppose these atrocities. Global solidarity is crucial in holding the Philippine government accountable for the worsening human rights situation.
Justice for Juan Sumilhig.
End militarization in Mindoro.
Respect human rights and international humanitarian law.
#JusticeForJuanSumilhig
#DefendMindoro
#UpholdIHL
