CHR asked to probe alleged harassment of KMP leader

MANILA, Philippines — Peasant network Tanggol Magsasaka has asked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate alleged harassment and surveillance activities that targeted Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chair Danilo Ramos last week in Malolos, Bulacan.

According to a complaint filed by the group with the CHR on Friday, six men in civilian clothes went to the barangay hall of Barangay Dakila before noon on Sept. 12. Ramos lives in the area.

According to Tanggol Magsasaka spokesperson Ronnie Manalo, four of the men introduced themselves to Barangay Captain Vener dela Cruz as farmers and said they were looking for Ramos.

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When Vener asked who they were and why they were looking for the KMP official, the four men replied that they wanted to talk to him. They also asked if there were other farmers they could talk to.

The men later identified themselves as members of the military, saying they were with the “general headquarters.” One of them introduced himself as “Master Sergeant Banjo.”

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Before leaving, they reportedly told the barangay captain that they would return on Sept. 14 to talk with Apolinario Surio, who chairs the Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee.

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Three relatives of Ramos, on the other hand, reported three unidentified men snooping around the entrance to their homes in Puroks 3 and 4 of the same barangay, also on Sept. 12.

Safety concern

On Sept. 14, three of the six men returned to Barangay Dakila and talked to Surio and Barangay Councilor Teodulo Teodoro. They asked for information about the farmers’ organizations in the area.

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According to Manalo, the incidents caused concern to Ramos and his family and prompted them to put on hold their work in the fields.

Ramos has also been forced to take precautionary measures such as avoiding going home because of safety concerns, the Tanggol Magsasaka spokesperson said.

According to Manalo, the recent incidents add to previous cases of harassment that had targeted Ramos and other farmers in the area since they participated in anticorruption protests over the flood control controversy in September 2025.

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Tanggol Magsasaka urged the CHR to immediately investigate the latest incidents, including the supposed Master Sergeant Banjo. —With a report from Sheridan Delfino