In Nov. 2025, Sandatahang Dahas recorded 33 individuals killed and 29 injured in incidents of state-related violence. This month stands out for having a higher number of incidents of violence between members of state forces. Similar to what was previously recorded by Sandatahang Dahas, the trend of sexual violence committed by state agents, notably members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) continues this November. There were also a number of police brutality cases.
Of the 33 killings, state agents were the perpetrators in 28 of them, which is consistent with all previous months Sandatahang Dahas has monitored for 2025. Ten killings were done by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) while 18 were by the PNP. One killing was committed by a civilian against a police officer. Another was done by an alleged insurgent against an AFP corporal. Meanwhile, unidentified armed groups killed a police officer and a Citizen Armed Force Geographic Unit (CAFGU) member in two separate incidents, while an unidentified individual killed another PNP member.
Among those killed, 15 were civilians, eight were state agents, and 10 were alleged insurgents.
November shows a slight decrease in individuals killed in drug-related operations as compared to the previous month (14 cases), with a total of nine victims.
In Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan, alleged drug peddler Immad Awwalun alias “Ad” and PCMS Jilhem J. Elmen were killed in a buy-bust operation on November 25. The operation initially targeted Hamid Idarus alias “Mids,” a high-value individual, but he and another injured cohort managed to evade arrest. Meanwhile, another member of Idarus’s group, Ridzmar Awwalun Muhammad, was apprehended by the police. Two grams of alleged shabu worth ₱13,600 were recovered from the scene.
In Cubao, Quezon City, a bloody buy-bust operation drew attention as three civilians ended up being killed by the police on November 18. A police officer and a civilian asset also sustained injuries. The four suspects, who had been under surveillance by the PNP-Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), were reportedly notorious drug peddlers. A shootout ensued when the suspects realized the one transacting with them was a police asset. Three of the suspects died while the fourth one escaped.
Upon further investigation, the boxes confiscated from the suspects that reportedly contained 10 kilos of shabu worth ₱68 million were actually packs of uncooked noodles. PDEG director Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay has said that the items recovered show how the suspects attempted to trick the state agents during a legitimate buy-bust operation.
Despite the high number of casualties, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuano emphasized that, “Kami sa PNP, we still maintain that battlecry: bloodless operations (We in the PNP still maintain that battlecry: bloodless operations).”
The “bloodless” war on drugs under the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has claimed the lives of 1,125 individuals from the start of his administration up to November 2025, according to monitoring by the Dahas Project of the UP Third World Studies Center. Around 36% (405) of these have been killed by state agents.
November showed an increase in the number of alleged insurgents killed as compared to the previous two months. Two members of Dawlah Islamiyah, and eight members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed, all in operations by the AFP.
On Nov. 15, an alleged sub-leader of the Dawlah Islamiyah named Najib Laguindab alias “Abu Jihad” was killed in an encounter with the AFP in Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur. The encounter also claimed the life of Cpl. Mark John L. Duray. Laguindab was reportedly the mastermind of a bombing incident at the Mindanao State University last December 2023, which killed four and injured 43 others.
On Nov. 17, three alleged members of the NPA were killed in an encounter with the 93rd Infantry Battalion in Leyte. Among them was reportedly a squad leader named Fidel Lagado with the aliases “Ivan” and “Red,” medical officer Maricel Anora alias “Yenyen” or “Gani,” and political guide Rogelio Berino with the aliases “Jun” and “Babay.” Lagado was said to be responsible for killing PFC Aries Ampoan in Abuyog, Leyte in 2023. Also on November 17, the body of an unnamed male NPA member was discovered in a forested area in Sipocot, Camarines Sur. He had reportedly died in an encounter with the AFP last September 15.
On Nov. 21, the 503rd Infantry Brigade launched an attack against NPA members in Kalinga. Members of the 103rd Infantry Battalion also joined in on the prolonged operation, which led to the death of Vicente Madalang Daligdig alias “Kumander Changli” in Pinukpuk, Kalinga two days later. Two members of the armed forces sustained injuries during the encounter.
On Nov. 23, an unnamed female NPA member was killed by the 46th Infantry Battalion in Gandara, Samar. An alleged NPA member named Lino Dacuma alias “Sanya,” who was injured from the encounter, surrendered two days later to get medical attention. As of writing, he is currently recovering at the Gandara District Hospital.
Among the eight state agents killed this month, three were killed by fellow state agents, with all of these incidents occurring on Nov. 10.
In Marilao, Bulacan, Cpt. Ronnie Sarto was killed in a shootout with the police after he robbed a convenience store. He had reportedly stolen around ₱20,000 and was escaping to a nearby barangay when a hot pursuit operation led to his death. In a Journal News Online investigation, records showed that the suspect had taken out several loans from his workplace, and was receiving only a fraction of his intended salary every month.
In Bangued, Abra, two police officers were shot dead by fellow officers in their office at the Provincial Explosives Ordinance Disposal and Canine Unit (PECU). S/Sgt. O’Neal Ryan Calica was shot by P/Lt. Jamieson Bulatao four times while the former was brushing his teeth at his quarters. Upon hearing the commotion, another police officer responded and managed to shoot Bulatao in the chest. Both were declared dead on arrival when rushed to a nearby medical facility. Based on an investigation by the PNP, Calica had previously reported Bulatao to the regional police office for being drunk while on duty.
Three state agents were killed by unidentified assailants in three separate incidents in November. On Nov. 2, P/Cpl. Joseph Toribio was shot near a fast food restaurant in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija by a still-unidentified individual. Because Toribio was a member of the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Cabanatuan City Police, his death may have been related to illegal drugs.
On Nov. 27, active CAFGU member Gail Pedroso Nim was shot and hacked to death in Arakan, Cotabato. He had been detailed under the Military Intelligence Battalion of the 39th Infantry Battalion. At around 5:00 p.m., he was found by responding officers from the Arakan Municipal Police Station lifeless inside a banana plantation, with multiple gunshot and stabbing wounds. As of writing, investigation is ongoing to find the suspects, as well as their motive for the killing.
Among those killed in November, 28 were male, two were female, while three victims’ sex at birth were unreported. Twenty-seven individuals died during law enforcement operations while one died at a police checkpoint. Meanwhile, five state agents died in attacks that happened outside of their official law-enforcing duties.
As for the recorded injuries in incidents of state-related violence for November, state forces remain the main perpetrators with 18 incidents. Of these, 14 were done by the PNP while four were by the AFP. Meanwhile, nine civilians and two alleged insurgents injured state forces in different incidents.
Among the 29 injured, 14 are civilians, 14 are state agents, and one is an alleged insurgent. An alarming number of cases of police brutality against civilians were recorded this month.
On Nov. 9, two men were reportedly tortured by police officers and then forced to admit to a crime they did not commit after being arrested at the Navotas City Police Station. One victim named alias “Dave” reported the incident, showing a scar on his head as evidence of physical violence. He and another victim were allegedly hit, restrained, and suffocated so they would sign an “extrajudicial confession” admitting that they shot two people in Navotas last Nov. 3. Nine police officers reportedly connected to the incident of torture have been relieved from their posts while the investigation is ongoing. They have been reassigned to the Northern Police District – Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit. However, Navotas City Police chief P/Col. Renante Pinuela maintains that the officers had no connection with the victims’ injuries, and that their arrests were legitimate.
On Nov. 13, an alias “Jan” was punched by a police chief master sergeant during a game of “pusoy dos” in Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City. The game reportedly got heated when the latter lost. After punching the victim, the police officer even pulled out his service firearm and yelled “Papatayin kita!” (I’ll kill you!) before leaving. The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office will reportedly file a case of physical injury and grave threat against the chief master sergeant.
On Nov. 20, Winnie and Ronnie Ronato were shot by a CAFGU officer in Bulan, Sorsogon, during a drinking session. Upon noticing the commotion, the suspect’s father, a civilian, reportedly joined and shot an 18-year-old woman. The two suspects were detained, but they emphasized that they shot the victims as an act of self-defense. The victims were rushed to the hospital and are recovering, as of writing.
On Nov. 22, an 18-year-old named alias “Nena” or “Nene” was reportedly raped and robbed by police forces during a drug-related operation in Bacoor, Cavite. The victim was a Grade 9 student. The police reportedly went to the victim’s residence to arrest her boyfriend, who was a “big-time drug pusher.” Upon learning that the suspect was not home, the police proceeded to get Nena’s valuable items, including an iPhone 13, a yellow Mio i25 motorcycle, and two plastic sachets that reportedly contained shabu worth ₱584,000. According to the victim’s account, some officers proceeded to rape her before leaving her residence. Fourteen police officers, all under the PDEG in the CALABARZON Region, are implicated in the incident. Last Nov. 23, eight of them were arrested at a police camp in Calamba City. The remaining six officers surrendered one by one afterward. All suspects face charges for violating the Anti-Rape Law and Robbery in Band.
The case of Nena is the latest among incidents of state forces committing sexual violence against civilians or fellow state agents monitored by the Sandatahang Dahas, which increased in frequency in the latter half of 2025. As of November, there have been 14 such cases this year, with four of the victims being minors.
Fourteen state agents were injured in incidents of state-related violence this month. Three of these were committed by fellow state agents, two by alleged insurgents, and nine by civilians.
On Nov. 4, an unnamed police master sergeant was shot by a responding police officer after the former had reportedly robbed a vegetable vendor in Abuyog, Leyte. The suspect allegedly snatched the victim’s gold jewelry worth ₱42,000 as well as his bag containing ₱15,000 before fleeing. An off-duty officer who witnessed the crime attempted to intercept the suspect, who drew a firearm and aimed at the officer. The officer then shot him in self-defense. The suspect is now under police custody.
On Nov. 11, a 37-year-old PDEA agent named alias “Ron” was tortured before being arrested by police officers in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte. Cotabato City Police Officer Director Col. Jibin Bongcayao stated that the suspect resisted arrest, resulting in minor injuries. However, CCTV footage of the incident revealed that several police officers took turns beating up Ron before formally arresting him and informing him of his Miranda rights, even while he repeatedly told them to stop. Ron, who is married, was supposedly being arrested for “sextorting” a 22-year-old alias “Jane.” Ron had allegedly asked Jane to have sex with him, threatening her that he would release nude photos of her if she refused. Ron has denied the allegations, stating he and Jane had a consensual relationship. The six cops who assaulted Ron have been relieved from their posts while an investigation is ongoing.
On Nov. 14, an unnamed police corporal was kicked by his superior officer inside the Naga City Police Station in Camarines Sur. The incident occurred when the superior officer asked the corporal what time it was. The footage of the incident eventually circulated online and became viral. While an investigation is ongoing against the reportedly “abusive” superior officer, the victim chose not to file any charges against him.
On Nov. 20, another unnamed corporal was severely beaten by civilians at a bar in Palapag, Northern Samar. Four individuals, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, went up to the corporal’s table and challenged him to a fight. One of the suspects immediately got a hold of the victim’s service firearm, while another broke glass bottles against his head and proceeded to punch him repeatedly. The four suspects initially managed to escape with the victim’s gun, but they were eventually arrested. The victim is recovering at a hospital as of the time of writing.
Among the 29 individuals injured, 24 were male, one was female, and four victims’ sex at birth was unreported. Consistent with previous months’ monitoring, most incidents (19) occurred during law enforcement operations. Three state agents were injured in attacks outside of their official duties, while the case of alias “Dave” and his companion fall under the category of “injuries under the custody of state forces.” One was injured at a checkpoint, while four incidents, including that of Winnie and Ronnie Ronato in Sorsogon, do not fall under any of the previous categories.
November recorded the widest spread of state-related violence in 2025 so far, with 31 provinces reporting such cases. Four provinces recorded their first cases of state-related violence for the year: Abra (two killed), Kalinga (one killed and two injured), Sarangani (one killed), and Sorsogon (two injured).
With 11 individuals killed and 16 injured, Luzon is once again the hotspot for state-related violence for November, as compared to the previous three months where Mindanao was the main hotspot for incidents twice, and Visayas once. The NCR has the highest overall number of such incidents, with four killed and four injured. This is followed by Kalinga, and then by provinces with two incidents each: Abra, Cagayan (two injured), Camarines Sur (one killed and one injured), Cavite (two injured), and Sorsogon. Bulacan, Isabela, and Nueva Ecija each recorded one killed while Batangas, Laguna, and Rizal recorded one injured each.
Visayas has the lowest number of cases for November, with seven killed and eight injured. Leyte has the highest number of incidents with three killed and two injured. This is followed by provinces with two incidents each: Cebu (one killed and one injured), Negros Occidental (two injured), Northern Samar (one killed and one injured), and Samar (one killed and one injured). Lastly, Capiz and Eastern Samar reported one injured and one killed, respectively. It is worth noting that despite its relatively lower number of cases, more than half (8 out of 14) of the lethal and injurious results of anti-insurgency operations are concentrated in Visayas.
Finally, Mindanao reported 15 killed and five injured in incidents of state-related violence for November. Lanao del Norte has the highest number at three killed and one injured. This is followed by provinces that reported three incidents each: Basilan (two killed and one injured) and Cotabato (three killed). Bukidnon (one killed and one injured), Lanao del Sur (two killed), and Maguindanao del Norte (one killed and one injured) each had two cases. Meanwhile, Davao del Norte (one injured), Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat (one killed), and Sulu (one killed) all reported one case each. Three of the killings in Mindanao, one in Lanao del Norte and two in Lanao del Sur, were due to anti-insurgency operations.
In its penultimate month of monitoring for 2025, Sandatahang Dahas recorded an alarming increase of state agents exercising their means for brutality beyond what can be considered justifiable scenarios. This brings into question the principle of “maximum tolerance,” and whether state forces actually abide by this like they are instructed to do. As the year comes to a close, Sandatahang Dahas will continue monitoring incidents of state-related violence, especially as we have noted an increase in violence between state agents and anti-insurgency operations for November.
[Aidrielle Raymundo is a university research associate at the Third World Studies Center (TWSC), College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman. She also did the graphics accompanying this report. Student assistants Aaliyah Nicole C. Ybera and LJ T. Meriño provided research assistance for this report. To learn more about Sandatahang Dahas, visit its website and for the latest updates, follow the Dahas Project in these social media platforms: X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky. Reports for the previous months are available at https://dahas.upd.edu.ph/sd-monthly-reports/.]