A series of brutal killings and abductions perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) were documented by Ang Bayan, the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
According to Ang Bayan, in just one day on 21 September, eight individuals, five of whom are hors de combat New People’s Army (NPA) and three civilians, were killed in separate incidents in Negros Oriental and Masbate.
On 29 September, in Rizal, police officers summarily killed Jude Thaddeus Fernandez, a veteran organizer of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (May One Movement) in his place of residence in Binangonan, Rizal. Police forces claim Fernandez “fought back” despite being unarmed according to his colleagues.
On 13 October, in Abra, soldiers of the 77th Infantry Battalion (IB) killed a 68-year-old farmer, claiming he was an NPA member shot during an encounter.
On 19 September, in Oriental Mindoro, 4th IB agents abducted three youths who were investigating the bombings and shelling done by the 203rd IB last April.
On 29 September, in Nueva Ecija, residents saw two civilians being forced by men in military uniform to board a van. One of the two was earlier accused by the police of violating the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Recent reports from Eastern Visayas said at least 10 individuals were abducted and being secretly detained by the Task Force Storm and 8th ID under the Marcos regime. The victims are believed to be imprisoned at the 8th ID camp in Barangay Maicong, Catbalogan, Samar. Among those secretly detained are two new mothers both being kept with their infant children.
One case of abduction by the regime’s forces nevertheless got out of control. The notorious NTF-Elcac (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) called for a press conference 19 September supposedly to present two young environmental acitivsts as “NPA surrenderees.” To NTF-Elcac’s surprise, Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano however revealed to the press how they were abducted and tortured by the military.
