Human rights group Hustisya Guihulngan reported that the 62nd Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army committed various incidents of harassments towards residents of Canalon City and Guihulngan City last September 17 and September 18, 2020, which included series of straps, illegal arrests, physical & mental torture, burglary, and unauthorized seizing of property.

Last September 17, 2020 encounter between the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army occurred at 7:00 am in the morning, wherein the Philippine Army stated in a press release that arms cache were retrieved during their operation, which reportedly included twelve (12) high powered and low powered firearms; one (1) magazine for M14 rifle with ten (10) rounds live ammunitions; one (1) backpack with subversive documents and CPP-NPA-NDF flags.

September 17, 2020: Farmer tilling land gets stripped

However, at around 9:00 am of the same day in Sitio Owayan, Brgy. Budlasan, Canalon City, Negros Oriental, members of the 62nd IBPA were said to have stripped Ernie Jacolbe, a resident of the area and a father of three children whom the military came across merely tilling the fields with a carabao, causing the animal to run away due to severe panic.

September 17, 2020: Brother of Barangay Tanod waterboarded and beaten; family threatened

Thirty minutes later, in Sitio Natuling of the same barangay, the military also is said to have arrested an innocent civilian by the name of Gilbert Reyes, 35 years old and a resident of the area. Military troops reportedly beat up the civilian, and upon reaching Reyes’s house, stabbed him with high-powered rifles. After he was beaten up, the soldiers asked Reyes’s brothers to fetch them water, and despite the siblings’ pleas to stop beating him, they waterboarded Reyes, pouring water over Gilbert’s bruised body and mouth.

Romeo Reyes, a barangay tanod of the same village and brother of Gilbert Reyes, begged for his release and immediately informed the Mayor of the city. Canlaon City Mayor called the military and Gilbert Reyes was released at 4:00 pm, however, had already suffered sustained bruising from the military’s torture.

The 62nd Infantry Battalion also threatened Romeo Reyes, the barangay tanod, and his family. According to the Reyes family, the military stated that if they do not see Gilbert again when they return, Romeo Reyes will be killed instead. Nenita Recaplaza, a resident of the area too, was also threatened that if a man was seen carrying a child in her house, she would be killed (implying her husband is NPA).

September 17 2020: Stealing a birthday celebrant’s food

When the military arrived, they also crashed the birthday party of Narciso Calago, and stole a chicken they had saved for the occassion. Troops were said to have taken their chicken, eating it, and merely compensated by bringing them raw meet, without letting the family having a taste of their own food.

September 17, 2020: Houses of peasant farmers raided

Hustisya Central Visayas also reported that houses of peasant farmers were raided by the 62nd Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army along with looting their belongings, and stealing their clothes and equipment inside their home. Afterwards, the peasants were also said to have been forced to bring out their marriage contracts and gathered at the public plaza.

The victims were Gilbert Reyes, Agida and Lauriano Jacolbe, Jenor and Jely Reyes, Melyn (currently pregnant) and Jay-ar Jacaba, Marina and Narciso Calago, Gilbert Reyes, Renelyn (pregnant, almost pregnant) and Rodney Sta. Rita, Recardo and Leonida Reyes and Nenita Recaplaza.

September 18, 2020 – Illegal raiding of houses continue in Guihulngan City

At 3:00 pm, troops belonging to the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army were said to have raided and looted houses of residents and peasants in Sitio Bandetraka, Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City according to human rights organizations.

Human Rights Org: Uphold Peace & Justice; No To Violence

HUSTISYA Central Negros continues their call to church people, the mass media, lawyers and other organizations and groups concerned for peace and justice to help victims in the said areas by launching fact-finding missions, psycho-social activities, medical missions; going directly to the area and getting the real news and helping them be provided with legal assistance such as a lawyer to file a case and answer the committees of the violation to the poor, victims of such violations. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of exposing violations of human rights for if not, such will continue and do not bring justice to their crimes against the people. Human rights organizations also remarked that should current transgressions be overlooked, it will be passed on to future generations and fear will be theirs.