In the Philippines, there have been hundreds of documented killings of peasants, farmworkers, and fisherfolk related to land dispute cases and agrarian reform advocacy since former President Duterte took power in July 2016.
These attacks are not coincidental instances of brutalities, but are part of a systematic program by the most rabid fascist elements in the government.
On December 4th, 2018, the former President issued Executive Order 70, forming the National Task Force to Eliminate Communist Armed Conflict. Since then, this publicly funded task force has released unsubstantiated statements accusing legal organizations and even elected officials of being terrorists. It has consistently red-tagged KMP and other poor people’s organizations as “front organizations” of so-called “communists-terrorists” through press statements, public banners, leaflets, and other activities.
The threats precede arbitrary arrests and killings, followed by more accusatory and mocking statements from officials and government spokespersons.
Memorandum Order 32, in particular, worsened political killings, militarization, and other human rights violations in Negros, Bicol, and Samar regions.
Worse, misuse of the Anti-Terror Law, allows any criticism and opposition to government policies to be construed as acts of terrorism and lead to arrest.
I’m the Philippines, widespread repression and killing of farmers fighting for their right to land is a state policy.
