Family and relatives decry and demand justice for the killing 16-year-old Jayson Grafil Padullo by the 63rd IB in an indiscriminate shooting on June 15 in Sitio Bagong Barrio, Barangay Pinanag-an, Borongan City, Eastern Samar. Consistent with its fascist playlist, the military claims that the young man was a New People’s Army (NPA) member.

Jayson’s fellow residents in Barangay Benowangan firmly asserted that he was a civilian. They said he had just enrolled in Grade 7 and was set to start school this June. His uncle, a Facebook vlogger, also spoke out against the the soldiers’ merciless killing of his nephew.

According to a report gathered by the Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid-Eastern Visayas (PKM-EV), the victim was in a field outside the sitio with another youth when soldiers conducting operations fired at them. Jason died from gunshot wounds, while his companion managed to flee and escape.

Despite widespread calls on social media, the 63rd IB and 8th ID leadership dismissed the family’s complaint and plea.

“This is a blatant denial of culpability and accountability for their troopers’ indiscriminate shooting at a young civilian,” according to PKM-EV.

The farmers’ group stated that this tragedy further proves the fascist 8th ID’s long-standing practice in the region of targeting civilian farmers during their operations in rural areas. “Before going to the field, Jayson and his companion even asked permission from the troopers [conducting the Retooled Community Support Program] camped in Bagong Barrio, complying with the fascist’s control over their village. They were still shot despite this,” the group said.

In connection with the crime, the Children’s Rehabilitation Center called for an investigation and accountability. The group stated that the killing of Padullo and other children who have fallen victim to human rights violations by government military forces must be condemned. The group urged the Commission on Human Rights to immediately conduct a comprehensive investigation and to help the family.

Padullo is the seventh farmer state forces killed in Eastern Visayas this year. The 8th ID baselessly accused the victims of being Red fighters to evade criminal accountability.