Farmer Kato Rizal and his underage nephew were collecting honey when 79th IB soldiers conducting a combat operation suddenly opened fire at them in Sitio Nabaisan, Barangay Minapasok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on the morning of October 17.

Human Rights Advocates Negros (HRAN) condemned the shooting, saying Rizal sustained multiple body wounds and lost consciousness as a result. A day later, the whereabouts of the minor remain unknown, gravely worrying his family.

The New People’s Army (NPA)–Northern Negros (Roselyn Jean Pelle Command) released a statement immediately after the incident enjoining residents to stay vigilant as the 79th IB will most probably portray the incident as an encounter with the NPA. This has been a typical Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units’ tactic to evade accountability and absolve themselves of their crimes.