Residents of Barangay Sulitan, Catubig, Northern Samar firmly assert that Jerick Jugal, among those the 20th IB claimed to have killed in a series of armed encounters with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Catubig town on November 5, was a civilian.
They called for an investigation and justice for the victim’s killing. Jugal’s neighbor said he was a responsible son serving as their family’s sole breadwinner.
After the alleged encounters, residents of Barangay Sulitan and neighboring communities also complained about the the soldiers’ restrictions. They were prohibited from working at their farms or even bringing food into the community.
Meanwhile, the 62nd IB’s series of human rights abuses in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental was recorded.
On November 5, 16 soldiers entered the home of Loring Geronimo in Sityo Ponong, Barangay Trinidad. They asked for her husband and child, pointed high-caliber guns at her and her grandson, and subjected the whole family to brutal interrogation. On the same day, soldiers also illegally entered the home of Helen Bardok in Barangay Binobohan without permission while she was at work.
On November 8, 62nd IB soldiers mauled 38-year-old farmer Boyet Ospar in Sityo Manlibod, Barangay Trinidad. Soldiers’ illegal occupation and encampment in schools in barangays in Guihulngan City, Vallehermoso, and Canlaon in the past few weeks were also reported. Encampment in civilian schools is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
Land grabbing. State forces and private guards harassed and again attempted to evict residents and farmers in Barangay Viga, Angadanan, Isabela. The Gamboa family is grabbing 23.6 hectares of land that for 50 years has been tilled and inhabited by farmers who are members of the Panagkaykaysa ti Mannalon a Maag-agawan a Daga (Pumalag). The town police chief and administrator of Angadanan visited them on October 30 to force them to negotiate with the Gamboas. They attempted to bribe the farmers to vacate the area.
The police chief and two police officers returned on November 2 to order the private guards to confiscate and burn the farmers’ placards and streamers. When the residents and police clashed, the police chief pulled a gun and pointed at the farmers. Three farmers were arrested, and the guards threatened to destroy the farmers’ crops.
