CPP condemns AFP murder of two teenage boys in Masbate

Information Bureau

Communist Party of the Philippines

December 31, 2024

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today condemned "in the strongest terms" the cold-blooded murder of 14-year old JP and 18-year old companion Redjan by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Barangay Paguihaman, Uson, Masbate last December 27. Reports from the community say that the two were shot in the head resulting in their immediate death.

Reports indicate that the victims were on their way home at 3 a.m. from a Christmas party when soldiers chanced upon them and fired shots, mistaking them for Red fighters of the New People's Army. JP was a resident of nearby Barangay Mabini while Redjan is from Barangay Mongahay. Both are high school students.

CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena called the incident a "severe crime and violation of the international humanitarian laws." He added that "justice demands that the fascist perpetrators of this crime be immediately disarmed, arrested, tried and punished."

Valbuena said that the crime proves the fascist terrorist nature of the AFP which ignites resistance from the people. "Even as they brandish their weapons, these fascists are gripped with fear of the people and their army. Frightened by the approaching boys, the soldiers panicked and frantically fired their weapons against the unarmed teenagers."

"The incident has further fueled the people's deep hatred for the fascists. The residents of Barangay Paguihaman and nearby communities stand on just grounds in their demand for the AFP to pull-out their troops and dismantle their detachment in the village," he added.

Futhermore, Valbuena warned against the possible cover-up and outright lies of the AFP and the Philippine National Police supposedly conducting a special investigation on the matter. "We have seen in the past how state forces weaved narratives that children and civilians they murdered are so-called 'child warriors' of the NPA," he said.

The CPP has forwarded the incident report to the Special Office for the Protection of Children of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) for necessary actions.

Meanwhile, the local NPA unit in Masbate commiserated with the families of the victims over their brutal death. The unit vowed to exact justice for the countless crimes of the AFP units in Masbate province.

According to Ang Bayan's database, there are now at least 37 victims of state-sponsored extrajudicial killings in Masbate under the Marcos administration.

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