Reports detail a disturbing series of rights abuses perpetrated by the 94th IB of the Philippine Military —including arbitrary arrests, physical abuse, and threats— across Kabankalan City and Himamaylan City, marking a violent start to the new year for Southern Negros.

The September 21 Movement, a human rights watchdog in Southern Negros, has strongly condemned the alarming rise in military harassment and human rights violations committed by the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) in the first weeks of January 2025.

A series of reports posted on their official Facebook page details a series of rights violations—including coercion, arbitrary arrests, and physical abuse—targeting civilians, particularly in Kabankalan City and Himamaylan City, during January 2025.

False accusation

The most recent incident happened last January 21, 2025, in Kabankalan City, where two men identifying as members of a military task force approached Soriano Response, a Barangay Tanod and local farmer leader of the PAMANGGAS association, while he was on duty at the Barangay Hall in Brgy Camansi.

One of the men, identified as Cyrus Lacheca, accused Soriano’s spouse of preparing food for the New People’s Army (NPA) on January 17.

Soriano swiftly denied the accusation, but the couple expressed fear over being falsely labeled as NPA supporters.

In response, they filed a blotter report at the Barangay Hall, documenting the harassment and unjust accusation that had caused them considerable distress.

Military posing as rebels; tortures civilians

The September 21 Movement also reports multiple similar incidents of military harassment across Himamaylan City, particularly in the first week of January 2025.

In Sitio Kambudlis, Barangay Mahalang, military personnel allegedly posed as NPA members and harassed local resident Jinky Tasi on January 3. Tasi was reportedly tied up and threatened, while military personnel ransacked homes and planted fabricated evidence to frame residents as NPA supporters.

On January 5, in Sitio Kalope, Barangay Carabalan, soldiers reportedly tortured several civilians, including Hernan and Imyong Sabanal, as well as Joel, Nene, and Indot Pacheco. According to reports, these individuals were beaten, blindfolded with plastic, and physically restrained by soldiers without any legal cause.

Later the same day, in Sitio Tigbao, Barangay Buenavista, military forces allegedly raided the home of Evelyn Balsimo, scattering her belongings and intimidating her family.

Coercion and illegal arrests; some remain disappeared

On January 4, Jonel Balsimo was arrested in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, without any legal grounds. His motorcycle was confiscated, and he was coerced into assisting the military during their operations in Barangay Carabalan.

The following week, on January 14, Dado Sanchez, a local resident of Sitio Palosais, Barangay Mahalang, was forcibly taken by military personnel after visiting his charcoal pit. Witnesses report that he was never seen returning home and was later forced to guide soldiers through various sitios within Barangay Mahalang.

The next day, January 15, Aira Gonzales and Alfred Hilado were apprehended by the same military unit in Sitio Nahulop, Barangay San Antonio, Himamaylan City. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

Prior to their arrests, Hilado, along with Gonzales’ husband Joseph and another resident, were reportedly assaulted by military personnel.

Gonzales was also falsely accused of possessing a .45 caliber firearm, a command-detonated explosive, and revolutionary documents—items allegedly planted by the soldiers.

Furthermore, reports from Sitio Nahulop, Barangay San Antonio, indicate that military personnel threatened the residents with accusations of NPA affiliation and forcibly confiscated their mobile phones.

BAYAN Negros slam’s military pronouncement

“It is comical how just last December, the military was parading the claim that they had already crushed the revolutionary movement,” Berlita Ante, spokesperson for Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Negros said in Hiligaynon.

“They even declared SIPS (Security of Internal Peace and Security) status for the entire island in the middle of last year, and yet they continue to carry out these operations. It makes you question the millions of pesos being allocated for counterinsurgency efforts—it seems like a sham, one that only targets civilians,” she added.

Ante also pointed out that these series of harassments follow the recent terrorist financing charges leveled against NGO workers of PDG Inc. based in Kabankalan, and adds that this is a clear trend to suppress the mass movement in Southern Negros. She further called for the immediate pull-out of military troops from the countryside.

Rebels deny involvement

In response to these actions, the Revolutionary New People’s Army (RNC-NPA) has categorically denied that the individuals arrested were affiliated with their group.

The RNC-NPA maintains that those targeted were civilians, and they condemned the actions of the 94th IB as violations of human rights and international law. 

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