Human rights group Karapatan accused the Philippine military of trying to offset the failure of Oplan Bayanihan’s first phase by attacking civilians and accusing them as members of rebel groups.

The group said for the month of January alone, at least three victims of extra-judicial killings and four victims of frustrated killing were reported.

The killings continue. On Wednesday, February 5, another farmer from Bukidnon was killed by an unidentified assailant.  The victim, Julieto Lauron of Kapunan, Valencia City, Bukidnon together with Noemi Lapatis were shot at Crossing Hindangon, Hagkol, Valencia City.

Both are riding a motorcycle when the attack happened.

“We call on the authorities to investigate the incident, and take into consideration the pattern of killings of peasant and indigenous leaders in Mindanao resisting aggressive industrialization,” said Sr. Maria Fatima Somogod, MSN in  a news report of  NewsDesk.org.

Lauron, a member of a local peasant organization Kasama-Bukidnon, was killed instantly while Lapatis was wounded and now recuperating in a hospital.

“The Aquino government and the AFP is trying to catch up with its self-imposed deadline,” Cristina Palabay, said secretary general of  Karapatan.

Palabay added that on January 30, Henry C. Orbina and Bryan Orbina Gallega, both employees of BMH Manpower Services were allegedly fired upon by elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP)  Cabid-an, Sorsogon City.

Henry Orbina died instantly from multiple gunshot wounds while Bryan Gallega was arrested, detained, and subsequently charged with violation of the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition (RA 1059) and violation of Explosive Law (RA 9516).

According to Karapatan, military and police accused the two of being of New People’s Army members.

The human rights group also reported the killing of  Marcelo Monterona an Indigenous People leader from Mindanao last January 3 and Arman Padino, a protesting farmer from Hacienda Dolores in Pampanga last January 12.