STOP THE MILITARIZATION IN THE COUNTRYSIDES! FREE ALL THE POLITICAL PRISONERS!
Hold the Marcos Jr. regime for the systematic and wanton violations of people’s rights.
As March comes to an end, it has become clear that amid the worsening economic crisis – the response of the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not been to heed the calls of ordinary people, but rather facism. Instead of addressing the root causes of poverty, the regime appears to prefer militarization and repression as its primary response.
On one hand, this is reflected in a series of military and police operations resulting in widespread human rights violations. Twelve consultants of the NDFP were arrested in joint operations by the PNP and AFP on March 11 in Tarlac and Quezon City, while two individuals – including Jess Gamay Lang-ay – remain missing.
Following this, on March 9, forces of the #DiMasaligan79IB pointed firearms at and threatened an elderly man, Jose Carbaquel, in Escalante City, Negros Occidental. This is not an isolated incident. On March 11, the siblings Oliver and Joven Tingga were beaten on the head after being forced to confess to allegations related to the armed movement.
In addition, on March 6, Gary Jorpo – a civilian and driver – was shot by the 15th IB after he failed to stop out of fear. He was accused of being a member of the NPA simply because he was carrying a bag with a chainsaw.
Meanwhile, militarization is not only directed at individuals but also at entire communities. On March 10, the military entered Libertad National High School and Libertad Elementary School in Masbate, where students were reportedly inspected one by one. In other areas such as Palanas, Cataingan, and Cawayan, the military has occupied barangay halls, health centers, and even schools – spaces that are supposed to be civilian in nature.
Moreover, there is continued large-scale troop deployment in Negros Occidental and Oriental, where hundreds of soldiers are conducting operations across various towns. This has caused widespread fear, especially among women, youth, and ordinary civilians. In Oriental Mindoro, the long-standing military presence has hindered the livelihoods of the indigenous Hanunuo-Mangyan people.
On March 17, farmer Edgar Tingting was killed while merely gathering food for his livestock. The mercenary military claimed it was an “encounter,” but revolutionary groups denied this, saying the AFP was lying and that no encounter took place.
Overall, these events reveal a clear pattern: as the economic crisis worsens, the use of state repression and violence intensifies. The coalition further supports the call of the Filipino people to respect the International Humanitarian Law, dismantle the NTF-ELCAC, and withdraw troops from the communities.
Most importantly, to hold the Marcos Jr. regime for the systematic and wanton violation of people’s rights. Lastly, the coalition echoed the demand of peace loving Filipinos rejecting the National Action Plan for Unity Peace and Development (NAP-UPD). It is nothing but a counterinsurgency policy dictated by the United States aimed to further terrorize the people in the communities as it struggle for justice, human rights and genuine peace. ###
