Soldiers of the 43rd IB conducting focused military operations opened fire on a young peasant in Barangay Caputoan, Las Navas, Northern Samar on the morning of June 13. They also fired three rounds from an M203 grenade launcher. The young peasant was identified as Olid Yanay, a resident of Barangay Paco.

Olid is part of the Yanay family, which the military has long harassed and pursued over allegations of links to the revolutionary movement. The military previously targeted his father, uncle, and cousins.

Soldiers of the 43rd IB claimed the incident was an encounter with the New People’s Army (BHB). They baselessly alleged that Olid’s own father, Dandan, fired at them. The BHB-Northern Samar (Rodante Urtal Command) refuted the military’s statement and condemned the violence against the Yanay family.

One of the soldiers himself reportedly shouted and recognized that the young Olid they encountered in the forest was a civilian. Despite this, the troops continued firing. The victim managed to run away and hide out of fear.

The soldiers did not stop but later subjected Dandan’s siblings to interrogation. In protest, the child of one of Dandan’s siblings reported the harassment of their family on social media. In retaliation, the public wifi in Barangay Paco was cut off.