Rural Philippines Gripped by Brutal Killings Under Marcos Jr, Raising Concerns of Martial Law Era Resurgence

In the rural Philippines, killings by alleged state forces under Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr, are becoming more frequent and more brutal. The recent killings in Himamaylan have raised concerns and provoked memories of the dark period of martial law under Marcos Sr. Emelda Fausto and her husband, Roly, along with their children Ben and Ravin, were brutally killed on June 14.

While the police and military claim that the New People’s Army (NPA) was responsible, several relatives and two surviving children believe that the military is behind the murders. Emelda had reported military harassment before her death.

Since Marcos Jr's inauguration in June 2022, 24 farmers have been killed, according to human rights organizations. The central island of Negros has witnessed a surge in violence against peasants, who have been red-tagged and targeted by the military. The military accuses farmers of supporting the NPA and considers their practices, such as "bungkalan" farming on idle land, as acts of terrorism.

These killings have left farming communities living in fear and seeking protection. The government's failure to fulfill promises of land reform has led to an increase in peasant organization efforts in Negros, making it a hotbed of activism.

The military's intensified pressure and harassment have frequently preceded attacks on red-tagged civilians. The Fausto and Tingal families are not the first victims of such brutality, with previous incidents including the killing of activist Zara Alvarez and the attempted murder of activist Brandon Lee.

Despite evidence and witnesses pointing to military involvement in the recent killings, justice remains elusive for the victims' families. The police have refused to cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights, and the military has not responded to requests for comments.

Meanwhile, the surviving children of the Fausto family are in hiding, fearing false arrests or being forced to surrender as NPA rebels. These cases highlight the vulnerability of poor farming communities caught in the crossfire of the government's anti-communist operations.