The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) strongly condemns the illegal arrest and continued detention of Julie Ann Balora, an organizer of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), and calls for her immediate release.

At around 6:00 PM on April 22, 2026, Balora and her companions were travelling in a rented van from Victorias City heading south when an unmarked vehicle cut them off along the circumferential road in Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City, Negros Occidental. Several more vehicles arrived and surrounded them. Armed operatives forced them out of the vehicle, ordered them to raise their hands, and made them kneel with their heads down.

“No warrant was presented, no explanation was given – this was a blatant violation of their rights,” KMP said.

During the operation, one operative placed two bags inside the vehicle, including a grey one. Authorities later claimed these contained firearms and hand grenades – allegations that Balora firmly denies. “This bears the hallmarks of evidence planting to justify the arrest and prosecution of peasant organizers,” KMP and Tanggol Magsasaka Spokesperson Ronnie Manalo added.

Balora and several others were brought to the Talisay PNP station where they were interrogated without the presence of legal counsel. One of the arrested, Glenmar Bacusmo was repeatedly taken away for separate questioning, while DannyBoy de Baguio was punched in the chest by police officers. As of this writing, Balora remains detained at the PNP Talisay station.

“These acts of illegal arrest, planting of evidence, custodial interrogation without counsel, and physical assault constitute serious violations of human rights and due process,” KMP stressed.

The peasant group also underscored the pattern of harassment against the Balora family. Julie Ann’s sister, Harlyn Balora, a youth activist and peasant organizer, was arrested in 2022 in a police and military operation in Isabela, Negros Occidental without a warrant, and similarly faced fabricated charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives after alleged evidence planting. Another sister, Genevieve Balora, was among the victims of the recent Negros 19 massacre, further exposing the grave risks faced by families of peasant organizers in the region.

“From the arrest of Harlyn in 2022 to the killing of Genevieve, and now the arrest of of Julie Ann, it is a clear pattern of state repression targeting peasant organizers and their families in Negros,” KMP said.

Amid intensified militarization in Negros, the incident reflects a continuing pattern of targeting leaders and organizers of farmworkers and sugar workers. “The right to organize is not a crime. The real crime is the chronic repression of those who fight for land, livelihood, and workers’ rights in the countryside,” KMP said.

KMP urged the Commission on Human Rights to immediately investigate the incident and hold accountable the police and State forces involved.

“We demand the release of Julie Ann Balora. All fabricated charges against her must be dropped,” KMP concluded. ###