By E. Maestro
Breaking news happens all the time and perhaps takes some of the visibility and perhaps priority from the not-so-new ones. But all are connected.
The AFP marked the first day of 2026 by bombing Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro, resulting in deaths and displacement. The military narrative of the “rescue” of Chantal Anicoche, her “voluntary” confinement in the custody of the military, and her release back to the US was news for a short time. The sustained, vocal and strong international support for the safety and release of Chantal was quick, viral, and focused – from churches, educators, human rights groups, solidarity allies, grassroots organizations and many more – which many believe saved her life and secured her release from the military who probably thought that they had put on a good show but had not.
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) echoed the analysis of the reason for Chantal’s release, as “the result of a relentless, international campaign” and that “Chantal’s advocacy and dedication for the rights and welfare of her fellow Filipinos has inspired and emboldened people around the world to emulate her concerns and support the most marginalized of Philippine society, including especially impacted communities in Mindoro where she was detained by the AFP. “
News about the dead and displaced in Abra de Ilog are hard to come by, especially because both fact-finding and humanitarian missions from Philippine human rights groups have not been allowed access to the communities by the military. The people still remain in great danger from militarization, mining and so-called renewable energy projects. The Supreme Court overturned the 25-year mining moratorium in Occidental Mindoro last year which means the possible return of Agusan Petroleum and many mining companies. Where there are big mining and so-called development projects, state military forces and private security of companies and local bigwigs will be there. And with military presence and operations, expect an increase in the number of human rights violations committed against farmers, indigenous peoples, and environment defenders. No one has been held accountable with what’s happened in Abra de Ilog.
What happened in Mindoro is easy enough to connect with what is happening in Congress. Congress, described by Bayan as a den of unrepentant thieves, ratified the 2026 Budget, seemingly oblivious to the anger of the people over the scandal of corruption, flood control projects, and massive pork barrel abuses that implicated the members of Congress! Congress then transmitted the budget for Marcos Jr to approve and sign, and he did!
Marcos, Jr. signed off on the 2026 National Budget described by economists and progressive groups like BAYAN as a budget filled with all forms of pork barrel, the “very mechanisms through which public funds are siphoned off through kickback, political favors and patronage networks.” Pumirma ang pangulo at katulad ng dati, wala siyang karapatan na sumigaw na “Mahiya naman kayo!” dahil siya ang pasimuno nito. Siya ang pumirma, hindi naman siya tinakot o pinilit. This is the reason why Marcos Jr is given the crown title of Utak at Hari ng Korupsyon.
And the connection of this to Abra de Ilog? Marcos Jr. is accountable for the increased budget for confidential and intelligence funds, counterinsurgency programs, militarization and AFP modernization. That translates to more public money to terrorize and bomb communities like Abra de Ilog, silence those who defend their lands and rights, like the people in Mindoro.
And of course, the impeachment news. Marcos Jr. escapes impeachment, thanks to the dismissal by Congress of the second impeachment complaint against him. How can the people expect the members of Congress to do otherwise when Congress is dominated by members involved and implicated in many ways and forms in the multi-billion flood control scandal and other pork barrel abuse? By protecting the Big Cheese, they were also protecting themselves.
No one has been held accountable.
The connection of all this to the communities in Abra de Ilog is real and deadly. The plunder of land by corporate interests made possible by backing from corrupt officials, local government, government agencies, and the military is just a matter of time.
It does not take rocket science to understand why no one has been held accountable under this bankrupt political system. It is only through organized, sustained, determined actions from the people, by the people, that we can continue to demand and fight for truth, accountability and justice. For the communities of Abra de Ilog. For everyone.
ReyFort Media 
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