On June 2, 2021, Torres and Dioquino, both organizers of KMU, together with Hilamon and  Ramos, local labor organizers, survived the turbulent seas as Typhoon Dante ravaged South Luzon. They found  calm waters in a cove near the island of Sibale, Romblon. In observance of pandemic health protocols, they maintained a 200-meter distance from the shore. Police authorities in the island saw them, however, and insisted that they dock, assuring them accommodation to enable them to rest and recuperate until weather conditions improve. They went with the authorities and stayed at an evacuation hall provided to them.  

At 11:00 in the morning, some police personnel called on Ramos, being the boat captain, to check on their vessel.  He was surprised when the police immediately arrested him when they reached the wharf.  

At 1:00 in the morning of June 3, 2021, shouts roused Torres, Dioquino and Hilamon from sleep and saw rifles aimed at them by at least 11 policemen barely three meters away. They were forced to lie facing down while being  handcuffed. They asked for the reason for their arrest but the police refused to answer nor recite a word from the Miranda Doctrine to guarantee their rights. 

Escorted to the wharf, the three saw Ramos handcuffed and their belongings from the boat already  scattered on the ground and being rummaged. The police claimed that they are members of the NPA. Eventually, however, they were charged with cases pertaining to public health, illegal fishing, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives. 

While in custody at the Concepcion Municipal Police Station in Sibale Island, agents from the police, military and the NTF ELCAC interrogated the four separately. The personnel promised the four freedom, a sum of money,  and livelihood in exchange for an admission that they are NPA members and information. If they refuse this offer, their captors threatened, they will be kept in jail, face more trumped-up charges, and endanger their lives and the lives of their families.  

On June 7, 2021, the four were transferred to Romblon, Romblon for inquest proceedings at the Office  of Provincial Prosecutor. Pending the resolution of their cases in the OPP, the four were detained at the Romblon Municipal Police Station where they continue to experience red-tagging, intimidation, threat and  harassment in the hands of the police forces.  

In a consolidated resolution, dated July 5, 2021, the provincial prosecutor dismissed the complaint for  violations of public health protocols, even as cases of serious disobedience and  illegal possession of firearms and explosives were pursued.

Meanwhile, in a ruling dated November 14, 2024, Acting Presiding Judge Donna B. Pascual of RTC Branch 81 dismissed the cases against the Romblon 4, citing insufficiency of evidence. The four labor activists were not carrying any firearms or explosives when they were arrested, as they were riding a small boat to transfer to another island and were forced to dock on the coast of Romblon by a typhoon at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Judge Pascual ordered the Romblon 4’s release from prison, the labor activists were ordered to be transferred to another jail on the basis of cases filed by Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Roberto B. Santos in April 2022. The cases bore the names of 12 individuals, but not the names of the Romblon 4.