Since March 16, the September 21 Movement – South Negros have reported numerous human rights violations in Binalbagan and Himamaylan City, including of intimidation, harassment and a disappearance at the hands of the 94th Infantry Battallion (IB) of the Philippine Army.

On March 20, the September 21 Movement reported Leonardo Sermona Jr, a 28-year-old peasant organizer and resident of Sitio Palayan, Barangay Cabadiangan, Himamaylan City, has been missing since March 16.

He last sent a message, “Ginlagas ko, mig” (“I was chased”) at 4:59 PM on March 16.

Sermona has been a victim of red-tagging by the 94th IB for years. Members of the 94th IB would reportedly visit his home daily. As an organizer of fellow farmers, Sermona reportedly feared for his and his family’s lives.

The same day, the group also reported a civilian and resident of Sitio Uwakan, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City were intimidated by an asset of the 94th IB.

On March 18, around 10:00 AM, a white van with no license plates followed by two men on a motorcycle arrived in the area. One of them was a so-called “Dodong”, an asset of the 94th IB. He addressed the civilian, who wishes to remain anonymous, “Maayu lang nga nasugata ka namun kag nakita, kay kung wala, kuhaon ka tani sang 94th IB!” (“It’s fortunate we ran into you or else you would have been taken by the 94th IB!”).

Dodong then threatened the civilian to face an alleged case against him filed by the 94th IB, where her name was included in a list of people who purchase weapons for the New People’s Army (NPA). “Dodong” told the civilian if she would not cooperate, she would take her children and added the victim is being closely monitored.

“Dodong” took the victim’s number and told her to speak to him, ensuring her the 94th IB would not interfere as long as the victim would cooperate.

The same “Dodong” had reportedly been in the area before to threaten the Villaquatro family to surrender themselves as armed rebels.

The victim received the following texts from “Dodong”:

“Ate ,wag mag problema gi storya taka ky para matabangan pod ka kag imo na bana.kahibalo ko na biktima lang ka pero tabangan taka ayaw lng kabalaka” (Don’t worry, I spoke to you so I could help you and your husband. I know you are just a victim, but I will defend you, don’t worry.)

“Ayaw kabalaka teh ky imong anak matabangan nako na teh .og kahibalo ko teh nga nabiktima lng kamo pero teh are ko karon para matabang nimo teh og sa bug os nimo pamilya.” (Don’t worry because I will keep your children safe and I know you have just been victims, but I’m here to help you and your family.”)

“Lunes sa aga nalang ta mag storya teh para kung ano pa imo problema maka tabang ko simo.” (“We’ll talk on Monday morning so I can help you with your problem.”)

“Aw ok teh ah cge teh hambala lng manong da na bwas tani hapon man o aga teh para mag storyahanay ta.” (“Okay, tell manong tomrorow afternoon or morning so we can talk.”)

“Dili pwedi teh ky sa imo ako my kailangan .” (“That’s not possible because I’m the one who needs something from you.”) 

“(……)nitan ka sa mga armado dira.” (“…you will be [sic] by the armed people there.”)

Today, March 22, the September 21 Movement released a statement regarding the 94th IB harassing civilians in Sitio Cabite and Sitio Mangahoykahoy in Barangay Santol, Binalbagan. 

On March 19, around 8:30 AM, around 12 operatives in civilian clothing arrived at the sugarcane farm of a certain Andong in Sitio Cabite. They fired four times at the home of Narsing Bertulano, which was next to the farm. The shells of a M16 armalite rifle were recovered from the site.

On March 21, several residents of Sitio Mangahoykahoy witnessed around 12 men wearing masks on motorcycles arriving in the area. The men set fire to the sugarcane farm of a certain Bakanoy and later, on their way to Bugtong Kawayan in Sitio Cabite, the same men damaged the truck of a certain Enad.

The September 21 Movement in their statements condemned the atrocities committed by the 94th IB. They called for an end to the threats and trumped up charges to produce fake surrenderees. These acts are only worsening the fight between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the group said, adding the Philippine Army must respect the human rights of unarmed civilians and uphold the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL). The group also appealed to the 94th IB to surface Sermona and return him to his family.