Central Negros has been a military focus for the last year or so as the AFP/PNP is compelled to protect the interests of big landlords and comprador bourgeoisie. The mountain ranges in Binalbagan and Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental and Tayasan and La Libertad in Negros Oriental are targeted for largescale mining to the detriment of the peasant masses and the ancestral domains of the Maghat-Bukidnon tribe and their livelihoods. Quarry operations especially along the Hilabangan river and its subsidiaries have also damaged rice fields and farm lots while endangering populations vulnerable to landslides and floods.

More than a month into the Marcos regime mercenary troops of the AFP launched vicious strikes against the rural population in Central Negros particularly Guihulngan City, Canlaon City and Vallehermoso in Negros Oriental and Binalbagan, Isabela, La Castellana, Moises Padilla and Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental with utter disregard for International Humanitarian Law. The people in these areas have witnessed bloodbaths perpetrated by state forces since the Duterte regime.

Fake encounters are now the standard version of the AFP to justify their crimes against the people. Army commanders bloody the hands of rank-and-file soldiers while gaining favor from the fascist regime. Generals siphon kickbacks from budgets for military operations and collect merits and promotions handed out after each ‘successful’ military operation—usually involving the brutal murders of unarmed civilians (including children) and hors de combats.

Landlessness, skyrocketing prices, joblessness, depressed wages, and widespread hunger embitter the sugar bowl of the Philippines. While wages are nailed below minimum, local prices of consumer goods including sugar and oil continue to soar. As the yearly off-milling season is ongoing, livelihoods are scarce. The AFP has only added insult to injury by intensifying their attacks despite the worsening socioeconomic crisis.

Recently, Gen. Vicente Bacarro ordered the entire AFP to step up its ‘operational tempo’ nationwide. New catchphrases does not alter the fascist nature of the regime’s counterrevolutionary drive. All-out assault against the Negrosanons will pose many problems to Bacarro’s scheme as this will pave a clearer path for the people to support armed revolution, even including enemy soldiers tired of imperialist intervention, corruption, and senseless brutality. ###