“They can follow us, take photos of our offices, and even threaten us, but we will still march on September 21. Our fellow Filipinos deserve jobs with dignity, not a life of fear.”

By Shan Kenshin Ecaldre 
Bulatlat.com

CABUYAO, Laguna — Days before the September 21 National Day of Action against corruption and impunity, human rights defenders and progressive organizations in Southern Tagalog are once again under siege.

From Mindoro to Batangas, accounts of harassment, surveillance, and red-tagging have escalated, echoing a chilling pattern activists recognize all too well. 

On September 10, three men who introduced themselves as Philippine Army soldiers arrived at the home of Defend Mindoro spokesperson, Erbel Borreta, in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro. The men interrogated his parents searching for him, and spread false claims linking him and Karapatan-Southern Tagalog to the New People’s Army.

This was not the first time. In January, Borreta himself was confronted at his home, accused of being a communist rebel and warned that he was under constant surveillance.

“Erbel is a community journalist and rights defender who has devoted himself to serving Mindoreños,” said Charm Maranan, Defend Southern Tagalog spokesperson. “Targeting him and harassing his family is an attack on the right of every Filipino to speak out for justice.”

The threats have reached beyond individuals. 

In Rizal, Saara Rapisora of Karapatan Rizal was branded an “NPA recruiter,” while Dumagat communities in Tanay reported cases of intimidation, and the grandparents of youth leader Christian Mataverde were questioned about his involvement in community defense work.

Police circling workers’ offices

In Laguna, progressive labor centers have been subjected to overt surveillance. The office of PAMANTIK-OLALIA-KMU in Cabuyao were repeatedly circled by a police mobile, with uniformed personnel taking photographs of the premises.

According to witnesses, even barangay tanods were instructed by police to photograph the office. The vehicle plate SKA 197 drove past at least four times on September 15 and 16.

Despite the harassment, Mia Antonio of PAMANTIK-KMU said in a statement, “They can follow us, take photos of our offices, and even threaten us, but we will still march on September 21. Our fellow Filipinos deserve jobs with dignity, not a life of fear.”

Similar surveillance was reported around University of the Philippines Los Baños, and the offices of Makabayan Southern Tagalog and BAYAN Laguna.

Farmers denied of their voice

In Batangas, members of Sugarfolks Unity for Genuine Agricultural Reform-Batangas (SUGAR Batangas) and the Alyansa ng mga Magsasaka para sa Kumpensasyon (AMK) were blocked by PNP-Tuy as they prepared to hold a peaceful assembly and program in Tuy. The incident coincided with President Bongbong Marcos’ visit to the Citicore Solar Farm in Luntal, Tuy, Batangas.

The police confiscated megaphones and placards bearing the slogan: “Compensation, not Corruption.” Farmers with other sectors in Batangas have been making this demand for nearly a year after suffering devastation from Typhoon Kristine.

“We want to directly bring to the President our long-standing demand for compensation and production subsidies for farmers,” Charlie Lopez, chairperson of SUGAR Batangas, wrote in a statement.

The groups later continued their program in Munting Tubig, Balayan. Afterwards, protesters reported being followed by police back to their office, accompanied by a blue car with plate NGN 3822.

Martial Law echoes

Human rights defenders warned that the intensifying harassment is not isolated but systematic. Defend Southern Tagalog described the escalation as a replay of tactics used before Bloody Sunday – red-tagging, intimidation, and relentless surveillance leading to deadly crackdowns.

“These are the same steps taken under Duterte, steps that culminated in killings and arrests,” Maranan noted. “Now under Marcos Jr., with the worsening crisis and corruption scandals, we see the same playbook: silence dissent at all costs.”

September 21— the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, has long been marked by protests. This year, organizations nationwide are set to denounce systemic corruption, including the flood-control scandal that exposed billions lost to graft.

“These people are not criminals. They are farmers, mothers, youth, and workers who want a better future for their families,” Maranan stressed. “Those in power are afraid of the growing people’s movement. But we will not cower. On September 21, we will march together and demand truth, accountability, and justice.” Maranan asserted. (RTS, RVO)