Government troopers kill 27 farmers in Masbate – rights group

MANILA, Philippines — Rights group Karapatan yesterday called for an end to the killing of farmers in Masbate, which it blamed on the government’s counterinsurgency campaign.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said 27 farmers have been killed under the Marcos administration’s campaign against communist rebels.

Palabay said the latest victim is Elorde Almario, who was reportedly kidnapped, beaten up and killed by two militiamen on April 2.

She said seven farmers, who were also tortured, and a boy were arrested in Pio V. Corpus town on Jan. 29.