Bayan Negros deputy secretary general Ereneo Longino reported incidents of surveillance by an unidentified person aboard a motorcycle, days after the murder of fellow Negros activist Zara Alvarez.

Bayan Negros, a human rights mass organization, posted on social media that Longino’s daughter was approached by an unknown man in their home in Negros Occidental on Saturday, August 22. The man was reportedly looking for Longino who was not at home at the time.

This incident happened just days after Negros human rights worker and activist Zara Alvarez was murdered on August 17 in Bacolod City.

In a phone interview with Rappler on Sunday, August 23, Longino said the incident happened early in the morning. He added that the man did not say much after his daughter refused to divulge Longino’s location, nor did the man give reasons as to why he was looking for Longino.

Longino added that one of his children reportedly observed a man aboard a motorcycle surveying their area for two days in a row prior to the incident. Before this, Longino said he had not received any threats.

He noted, however, that his name was on the search warrant for the multiple raids on progressive organization’s offices in October of 2019. He said that he was not around any of the offices during the raids.

Longino is now staying away from home for his safety and the safety of his family.

He added that Negros activists have become accustomed to the red-tagging and intimidation that come after the murder of leaders of mass organizations in their area.

“Bilang [mga lider] ng Bayan Negros, hindi na kami nabigla. Kasi, noon pa man, kagawian na kung may nagyayari na mga patayan dito ng mga lider ng mga mass organizations, ang sunod ay ang paglabas ng mga red-tagging,” he said.

(As leaders of Bayan Negros, we aren’t surprised. Even before, it has become routine after the murder of leaders of mass organizations that red-tagging would follow.)

“Patuloy ang pakikibaka ng uring manggagawa, uring magsasaka ng sambayanan. Hindi kami natatakot. Walang lugar para umatras, para matakot,” he added. (The struggle continues for the nation’s laborers and for workers. We are not afraid. There is no room to step back, for fear.) – Rappler.com