January 13, 2026
The Armed Forces of the Philippines started the new year of 2026 by dropping 12 aerial bombs from four attack helicopters followed by strafing and military operations meant to kill and displace the Mangyan-Iraya communities in Cabacao, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. According to initial fact-finding mission results from Philippine human rights organizations, the attacks killed 3 Mangyan children, injured their mother, and forcibly displaced 188 families from the area. It also led to the death of at least 2 student researchers and the disappearance of Filipino-American Chantal Anicoche.
News of the bombings, the displacement, the massacre in Abra de Ilog and the missing Anicoche went viral throughout the Philippines and overseas. And the response of concern and support from petitions to surface Anicoche, rallies in the Philippines and overseas, social media posts on the surfacing of Anicoche and statements from international groups like the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines, Migrante International, La Chiltota Collective of the Salvadoran community in Maryland, Virginia, and the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances was quick and forceful. Churches, grass roots organizations, Filipinos overseas and concerned citizens took action. Bayan Canada called for a Global Day of Action to press for the surfacing, and later for the release from military custody of Anicoche.
On January 8th, 203rd Infantry Brigade released videos and claimed that they had rescued Anicoche and that she was in their custody. Anicoche is currently being held in Camp Capinpin, Tarlac under the 2nd Infantry Division but human rights groups and lawyers have been barred from visiting her.
In response to the January 11 Global Day of Action, Filipino diaspora groups in several cities in Canada, condemned the use of terror by the Philippine state, the military attacks on Indigenous communities, and the use of red-tagging and black propaganda against human rights defenders, activists, and community organizers.
In Toronto, community members held a vigil outside the Philippine Consulate on Sunday, January 11 for the victims of the Mindoro bombings and to demand state accountability.
The following day, representatives from Malaya Canada – Toronto, Bayan Canada, Migrante Ontario and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines met with Consul Rodney Sumague at the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto. They delivered signed copies of a petition for the release of Anicoche to be forwarded to the Philippines and had a discussion on the case of Anicoche with consul Sumague. According to Malaya Canada-Toronto, the delegation “emphasized the urgent need to release Chantal Anicoche to ensure her safety, allow her to secure legal counsel, and enable her return to her family. The Philippine Consulate also committed to meet with the organizations should it receive feedback from the concerned offices regarding the petition for Chantal’s release.”
In Ottawa, Bayan Canada-affiliated groups conducted outreach activities throughout the weekend to gather petition signatures calling for Anicoche’s release, followed by political education discussions and an information picket outside the Philippine Embassy.
In Vancouver, community groups held an afternoon rally (Jan 11) at the Joyce Skytrain station to highlight the continuing detention of Anicoche and demand her release. Earlier in the day, Migrante members shared Anicoche’s case with the congregation of St Mary the Virgin-Anglican church and gathered signatures. On January 12, Bayan-Canada affiliated groups met with Deputy Consul Paul Vincent Uy at the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver to deliver signed petitions for the release of Anicoche to be forwarded to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President.
In Alberta, Filipino communities in Calgary and Edmonton collected statements of support and signatures while preparing coordinated petition delivery actions.In Manitoba, the community launched a selfie campaign and released a public statement alongside petition efforts.
In Montreal, Bayan affiliated organizations in Montreal showed the link of the bombings in Caracas to the militarization and bombings in Mindoro in their march in solidarity with the people of Venezuela. Migrante Quebec declared that “US imperialism and its puppet armies like the Philippine armed forces are suppressing all resistance in order to control and plunder natural resources around the world. The attacks on Venezuela and in Mindoro, Philippines are symptoms of imperialism rearing its ugly head. Let us resist in solidarity with the oppressed and exploited people of the world!” They demanded the release of Anicoche, Maduro and Cilia at the rally.
Until Anicoche is released to her family, the campaign for Anicoche and for Mindoro continues. The following demands still stand: (1) The Philippine government takes immediate action to release Chantal Anicoche from custody of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, ensures her safety and well-being, and returns her safely to her immediate family. (2) The Philippine government establishes a humanitarian corridor, and allows independent fact-finding missions and humanitarian assistance for communities impacted by the aerial bombings and strafing conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on January 1 in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. And (3) The Philippine government upholds International Humanitarian Law in its conduct in Mindoro especially regarding Chantal’s situation.