Published April 21, 2021, 3:57 PM Government investigators have been asked to expedite their probe on the March 7 deaths of nine activists in South Luzon provinces. A group which calls itself Defend Southern Tagalog (Defend ST) said the families of those who died during the joint police and military operations feel “threatened” by the heavy military presence in their areas. The fears, apprehensions and the plea for a swift probe were relayed to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in a dialogue held on Wednesday, April 21. “They (the families) said that every day, they fear they would be next,” Defend ST said. Despite their fears, the group assured the DOJ that they will cooperate in the ongoing investigation.