MANILA – Last Sunday’s bloodbath in the four provinces of the Southern Tagalog that resulted in the killing of nine activists and arrests of three has brought to fore how this region has been one of the targets of the government’s counterinsurgency program.
Under the Duterte administration, the Southern Tagalog was among the regions placed under intensified military operations, per Memorandum Order No. 32. The Communist Party of the Philippines, in its statement in December, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines, along with the Philippine police, created 27 new maneuvers battalions and concentrated its forces in eight regions, including Southern Tagalog.
It did not help that early in 2020, General Antonio Parlade Jr. was appointed to head the Southern Luzon Command, which covers the regions of Calabarzon, Bicol, and the island provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon. While he is known for his online posts red-tagging and threatening many activists and government critics, the Philippine Army’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) has also carried out deadly attacks on communities rising to demand better lives and future.
Bulatlat looks back on Parlade’s bloody rule in Southern Luzon.
Killings
Remains of 2 slain activists hastily buried in mislabeled graves
Gov’t prevents kin of slain activist from claiming remains
Barangay captain in Laguna shot dead
Peasant leader shot dead in calamity-hit Quezon province
5 killed in Rizal ‘encounter’ were farm workers, not NPA fighters – rights group
After over 3 weeks, remains of Baras massacre victim returned to grieving family
IHL violations
Treatment of four slain NPA fighters in Laguna ‘inhumane, barbaric’ – group
Arrests, missing
Reds refute military’s claims of arrests, surrender
After undergoing surgery, farmer ‘illegally arrested’ in Quezon
Rights defender detained while doing humanitarian work
Charges vs. 6 Calaca farmers dismissed
11 arrested in Cabuyao 24 hours after anti-terror bill signed into law
2 farmers arrested in Atimonan denied access to families
Harassment, trumped-up cases
Harassment, red-tagging of farmers continue in Quezon amid lockdown
Labor Day ‘surrender’ of 16 ‘Reds’ staged – groups
Rizal crackdown vs. urban poor ‘desperate’ – groups
Rizal residents confront, ‘arrest’ military intelligence agent
Labor group denounces red-tagging, fake surrenderees
141 arrested during nationwide #SONA2020 protests
Peasants in Hacienda Yulo face renewed harassment, threats of eviction
Armed goons threaten families, ransack homes in Hacienda Yulo
Displacements
3K Quezon residents to be displaced by SMC projects
Thousands forced to evacuate as military bombs Quezon villages
Text by Janess Ann J. Ellao
Graphics by Dawn Cecilia Peña
