The family and relatives of T’boli farmer Jonathan Kubot have not obtained justice for more than a month since 105th IB soldiers killed him. The military killed him on March 25 in Sitio Lam-afus, Barangay Lambangan, T’boli, South Cotabato.

Kubot had reportedly just finished clearing his rice field when soldiers accosted him. They took him, subjected him to torture, and forced him to admit being a New People’s Army (NPA) fighter.

In an interview, the NPA-Far South Mindanao condemned the arrest, torture, and killing of Kubot. It also clarified that he was not a Red fighter.

The shooting and killing of civilians by soldiers is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, the laws of war, and other international declarations that provide protection to civilians and non-combatants wherever there is armed conflict.

Article 32 of the Fourth Geneva Conventions prohibits any measure that results in physical suffering or killing of persons under its protection. According to the provision, “…this applies not only to killing, torture, cruel treatment, mutilation (the cutting off of any body part) …but also to other methods of brutality, whether committed by civilian or military agents.”

This also violates the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed by the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Lt. Col. Erikzen Dacoco is 105th IB commander, appointed only in February 2026. The battalion has existed for just over three years since its formation under the 6th ID in February 2023. It is based in Sitio Matinong, Barangay Little Baguio, Surallah.