By CESAR JOLITO III
A human rights group has raised alarm over alleged threats, surveillance and intimidation involving farmers at Barangay Orong in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City, reportedly carried out by members of the 94th Infantry Battalion, also known as the “Mandirigma” Battalion, of the Philippine Army.
Human Rights Advocates Negros (HRAN) said it received reports from the September 21 Movement – Southern Negros detailing a series of incidents affecting local residents, particularly farmer Maricel Figueroa and her family, as well as another resident, Danny Yonson.
According to HRAN, Figueroa reported that from January 11 to 14, around seven armed soldiers allegedly encamped at the Barangay Orong gymnasium were seen conducting surveillance near her home.
In the early morning of January 11, Figueroa’s daughter reportedly encountered armed men outside their house while checking on their carabao.
The men allegedly ordered her to turn off her flashlight, prompting her to retreat inside out of fear.
The following night, residents reportedly observed individuals with their faces covered by bonnets standing outside Figueroa’s house, causing alarm in the community.
On January 14, Figueroa said she confronted the masked individuals, who claimed to be military personnel conducting surveillance operations and staying at the barangay gym.
HRAN also cited a related incident involving Yonson, who allegedly faced threats and repeated questioning by soldiers in late December 2025.
Yonson claimed that individuals identifying themselves as Army personnel interrogated him about alleged New People’s Army (NPA) activities and later attempted to recruit him as an “intelligence asset,” offering a mobile phone and cash in exchange for monitoring relatives and other individuals.
Yonson said he later returned the items with the help of a barangay official but was subsequently threatened and now fears for his and his family’s safety.
In a statement, HRAN criticized what it described as the militarization of farming communities and alleged abuses against civilians, calling these actions counterproductive to peace and security efforts.
The group urged the Commission on Human Rights to initiate a motu proprio investigation into the reported incidents and called for the immediate pullout of the Army’s Reengineered Community Support Team from Barangay Orong, including its presence at the barangay gymnasium and nearby residential areas.
As of this writing, the Philippine Army has not issued an official response to the allegations./CJ, WDJ