HUMAN rights groups are accusing the Armed Forces of the Philippines of violating the international humanitarian law and human rights, citing recent incidents in the Southern Tagalog region, ironically during the International Humanitarian Law Month.
The Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) and Karapatan-Southern Tagalog condemned the military’s actions, which they say have targeted farmers and rural communities.
They pointed to a series of alleged abuses, including indiscriminate aerial bombings, killings of civilians, and harassment of humanitarian teams.
“We urge the international community, human rights defenders, and peace advocates to stand in solidarity with the victims of state-sponsored violence and demand justice and genuine peace in the Philippines,” Sr. Patricia Fox, APCHRP spokesperson, said.
According to an emailed statement from the coalition, on Aug. 2, 2024 two helicopters from the 16th Infantry Battalion and 2nd Infantry Division conducted aerial strafing and bombing in Barangay Maguibuay, Tagkawayan, Quezon, at about 5 pm.
The groups say the attack terrified the community and forced farmers and their families to flee their homes and livelihoods. This follows a similar incident in March when three coconut farmers were allegedly targeted by the 81st Infantry Battalion in the same area.
In Occidental Mindoro, a farmer identified as Juan Sumilhig was allegedly killed by the 4th Infantry Battalion on Aug. 1, 2024, in Sitio Salidang, Barangay Naibuan, San Jose. The military claimed Sumilhig was a member of the New People’s Army, but a fact-finding mission by Karapatan-Southern Tagalog insist he was a civilian.
The groups also reported that on Aug. 7, 2025, following a clash between the New People’s Army and the 1st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Happy Valley, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, the remains of two suspected New People’s Army fighters were allegedly held for several days.
The 203rd Infantry Brigade was stationed outside the funeral home where the bodies were kept, and a humanitarian team investigating the incident reportedly faced intimidation and harassment.
“We call on the Marcos Jr. government to immediately stop all forms of indiscriminate military operations in civilian communities, withdraw military troops from the countryside, and, most of all, respect and uphold the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and hold all AFP and PNP accountable for their war crimes,” APCHRP’s statement reads in part.
A police official, Lt. Holden Arellano, said they did not intend to take custody of the remains, leaving the decision to the military.
The human rights organizations said that since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office, there have been tens of thousands of cases of indiscriminate bombings and firing, as well as forced evacuations in rural areas.
The groups are calling on the government to stop military operations in civilian communities, withdraw troops, and hold military and police personnel accountable for alleged war crimes.
They also urged the international community and human rights advocates to stand in solidarity with the victims of state-sponsored violence and demand justice and peace in the Philippines.
