The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) condemns the reported illegal raid of peasant
leader Ronnie Manalo’s residence and the military operation in peasant communities in at least six sitios of barangays
San Roque, Paradise 3, and Tungkong Mangga in the City of San Jose Del Monte (CSJDM) in Central Luzon. Manalo is
currently the Secretary General of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) and
the Spokesperson of Tanggol Magsasaka (Defend Farmers).
On June 18, 2024 at 7:00 a.m., around a hundred combined elements of the 80th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army
(IBPA), the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
reportedly conducted military operations in these peasant communities, causing widespread fear and distress among
peasants and other residents. They forcibly entered the unoccupied residence of Manalo and searched his property. A gun
was allegedly found inside – most likely planted evidence, a ploy which state forces typically use during raids of
activists’ residences in the Philippines.
Prior to the incident, residents observed the increasing presence of the military in these peasant communities. Military
operations intimidating and targeting civilians, as highlighted in the recent International People’s Tribunal, are in
violation of international humanitarian law.
Manalo has long been a victim of threats and red-tagging from state forces, owing to his long-time active involvement in
the peasant struggle in the Araneta Estates. This area faced landgrabbing by Greggy Araneta III, the husband of Irene
Marcos Araneta, the youngest sister of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In 2022, Manalo and Cecilia Rapiz, a leader of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB, Peasant Alliance in Bulacan)
and also a resident in the area, lodged complaints to their local village chief on the persistent threat, harassment and
intimidation of the military against them. In that same year, Manalo together with other peasant leaders and advocates
were fired upon and harassed by goons of Araneta in Sitio Ricafort, Tungkong Mangga, CSJDM.
Militarization of peasant communities in the city intensified in 2018. Since then, soldiers conducted Community
Organizing for Peace and Development (COPD) and encamped in the peasant villages. AMB leaders were subjected to
surveillance and harassment by the elements of 80th and 48th IBPA. Residents were asked about the whereabouts of KMP and
AMB leaders, and they have repeatedly been forced by the military to “clear” their names in the local village centers
and even municipal halls.
ICHRP demands an end to the continued harassment of peasant leaders and the militarization of peasant communities in the
Philippines. It condemns the Marcos Jr. regime’s continued human rights and International Humanitarian Law violations of
farmers and peasant advocates who are legally exercising their democratic rights.