Rocket event in Philippines on Thu 22nd February 2024

On 22 February 2024, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) conducted an airstrike in Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City (Negros Occidental, Western Visayas). A video showed that the PAF helicopters were firing machine guns and rocket fire. The 79th Infantry Battalion also used forward guns to fire the area. Human Rights Advocates Negros (HRAN) condemned the military airstrike, describing it as 'indiscriminate', which resulted in affected residents evacuating and classes being cancelled, citing violations of the Geneva Convention protocols. Authorities stated that the airstrikes were conducted to recover and clear an area, which they claimed was occupied by NPA militants. However, human rights group Karapatan argued that the military's actions indicate a lack of identified targets and that the airstrikes were conducted without regard for the safety and rights of the affected civilians. There were no casualties. An initial armed encounter occurred on 21 February 2024 in the same barangay (coded separately).