Three development workers from Negros Occidental and their legal counsel elevated their plea for safety to the Supreme Court on Thursday, March 5, amid alleged threats, harassment, and intimidation by state agents.
The petitioners also alleged that they are victims of a systemic pattern of “red-tagging” and surveillance.
Lawyer Rey A. Gorgonio, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) Negros chairperson, and three members of the Paghida-et sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG) are seeking a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) against top military and police officials, alongside the issuance of Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data.
The petitioners, including Joselito B. Macapobre, Analyn Mirano, and Ma. Anabelle Ilustrisimo of PDG, cited a series of escalating threats, including a harrowing abduction attempt in Candoni, Negros Occidental, earlier this year.
They alleged that their fundamental rights to life, liberty, and security are being systematically violated, claiming to have been maliciously labeled as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) solely due to their human rights advocacy and community work.
The petition specifically alleged that Macapobre was subjected to abduction and intimidation — acts intended to suppress his work as a community organizer and stifle the exercise of his constitutional rights.
Macapobre, a fisherman and PDG community organizer, alleged that on January 17, he was abducted along a highway.
He narrowly escaped death by pushing his captors and sliding down a ravine, only to later receive digital threats from a self-proclaimed operative offering him money to become an informant while warning that he and his lawyer would be “silenced”, the petition said.
Gorgonio, who took over as counsel for PDG following the 2018 assassination of lawyer Benjamin Ramos, alleged that he has since been subjected to a systematic campaign of “red-tagging” and surveillance by the 15th Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Infantry Division.
Labeled as “counsel for the CPP-NPA” due to his defense of political prisoners and his legal opposition to a Candoni palm oil project, Gorgonio claimed he has been receiving escalating threats, including being warned that he would be “silenced” for being “too brave”.
PDG and its members have consistently expressed their resistance against the establishment of a P2 billion palm oil project of the Consunji family in Candoni.
Gorgonio noted that in early 2026, unidentified men photographed his residence and military-linked sources confirmed he is being targeted for his affiliation with the NUPL, a pattern of harassment he claims is intended to obstruct his independent legal duties.
The petition names several high-ranking military and police officials as respondents, led by Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, and Maj. Gen. Michael G. Samson, Commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division.
Also impleaded are BGen. Ted B. Dumosmog of the 303rd Infantry Brigade and the commanding officers of three tactical units: LTC. Roberto S. Maduli (15th Infantry Battalion), LTC. Divar L. Crisostomo (62nd Infantry Battalion), and LTC. Ziegfred D. Tayaban (94th Infantry Battalion).
Representing the police force is PCol. Leo B. Pamittan, the Provincial Director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.
Samson and Dumosmog said they were not aware of the petition as they had not received copies yet.
He does not know where the alleged threats received by the petitioners came from, Dumosmog added.*
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