Comrades Sandra Reyes (Ka Kaye) and Menandro Villanueva (Ka Bok) were captured alive during an encounter in Mabini, Davao de Oro between Red fighters and the butcher 10th ID on December 24, 2021, according to the Mindanao Commission of the Communist Party of the Philippines. The following day, the 10th ID reported that Ka Kaye was “killed in an encounter” while there was no news regarding the whereabouts of Ka Bok.

On the next few days, the 10th ID released a cartographic sketch of Ka Bok and repeatedly bragged that that he is about to be captured, along with other leaders and cadres in the Southern Mindanao Region supposedly as a result of their full-scale “pursuit operations.” It repeatedly fired 105mm howitzers to make it appear that there had been an encounter between the AFP and NPA.

On January 6, the 10th ID declared that Ka Bok was killed purportedly during an encounter on January 5. In truth, they already had custody of Ka Bok for 12 days. He was most likely tortured before being killed. According to the 10th ID’s own report, his cadaver sustained many gunshot wounds.

The revolutionary party strong­ly condemned the AFP’s cold-blooded killing of Ka Bok and Ka Kaye, and the lies it peddled subsequently. The CPP assured that it will hold to account those responsible for the killing of the two.

Ka Bok served the people for more than five decades. He played a key role in advancing the revolutionary movement in Southern Mindanao as one of strongest regions of the Party and the NPA. Meanwhile, Ka Kaye served the workers, peasants and Lumads full-time since she was organized at the Ateneo de Davao University. As an organizer, she played a key role in strikes and mass actions mounted across Southern Mindanao.