This January, four farmers were abducted by suspected military elements in separate incidents in North Cotabato and Davao Oriental, the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said on Thursday.
The KMP said that intense militarization targeting farmers continue in rural areas in Mindanao and Luzon.
Among the documented incidents are the following:
Farmers Filjun Celeste Arpajo, 30 and Venjie Catampo, 28, of Purok Mahayahay, Barangay Marayag Lupon, Davao Oriental were forcibly taken by suspected military elements on Jan. 16, 2018 and used as guides.
Last Jan. 9, Jarold Adiaton, 29 and Jane Solis, 26 both residents of Barangay Balite, Magpet North Cotabato and members of Balite Farmers Association were forcibly taken by composite agents of 15th and 39th IBPA and Cotabato Provincial and Magpet Municipal police officers inside their house.
Meanwhile, Datu Maylan Andas, 59, a resident of Barangay Tempuran Magpet North Cotabato and a member of Manobo Aromanen Pasakkaday Association (MAPA) was also abducted while feeding his chicken on the same day.
Students and teachers of Alcadev alternative school and nearby indigenous community in Barangay Deatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur continue to endure military harassment for almost a week now, said Antonio Flores, KMP secretary general.
He added that militarization and human rights violations against farmers continue across the country, as justice continue to evade 100 farmers killed under the Duterte administration.
In Batangas, the 730th Combat Group of the Philippine Air Force has intensified its operations in Calaca and Nasugbu towns, while in Quezon province, a fact-finding team in Barangay Jonggo, Lopez town was blocked by the 85th Infantry Batallion, Philippine Army of the 2nd Infantry Division, yesterday January 17.
The FFM team were there to investigate reports of military encampment and harassment in the community of Barangay Jonggo since January 15.
The KMP said that these human rights violations continue as sanctioned by AFP Commander-in-Chief Rodrigo Duterte and carried out by the mercenary AFP and paramilitary.
To dramatize their protest, the group will hold A “Black Friday Protest” in front of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City today, January 19, at 10:30 a.m.
