A farmers’ group urged Monday, Feb. 8, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct an independent investigation on the “possible role” of the government’s anti-communism task force in the killing of a Bulacan farmer.
In a statement, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas alleged that “armed representatives” of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict have repeatedly harassed Romeo Torres and his fellow farmers.His remains were stuffed inside a plastic drum plastered with cement and thrown in a creek. He was first reported missing three days before his body was discovered.
KMP said Torres was an active member of the Samahan ng Magsasaka sa San Mateo , a local organization of farmers fighting for their rights to a 75.5-hectare land in Sitio Compra, Barangay San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan. According to the group, local government personnel and armed men introducing themselves as representatives of the NTF-ELCAC have repeatedly “visited” or summoned the SAMA-SAMA farmers, and were reportedly red-tagged and threatened during the meetings.