The 8th ID captured, tortured, and willfully killed three New People’s Army (NPA)-Western Samar (Arnulfo Ortiz Command) Red fighters in two separate incidents in April in Samar. The NPA-Eastern Visayas (Efren Martires Command) condemned the 8th ID for murdering these hor de combat NPA fighters, fot its a war crime and violation of international humanitarian law (IHL).

Rules on respecting the rights of hors de combat are stipulated in the IHL and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). The National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines signed this agreement on March 16, 1998, in The Hague, The Netherlands. It focuses on areas of armed conflict.

Per Part 4 (Respect for International Humanitarian Law), Article 4, Number 1 of the CARHRIHL: “Persons out of combat (hors de combat) and those not directly participating in hostilities have the right to respect for their lives, dignity, human rights, political convictions, and moral and physical integrity, and protection in all circumstances. Troops must treat them humanely without discrimination on race, color, belief, sex, birth, social status, or any similar criterion.”

In Jiabong town, 47th IB fascist troops shot 20-year-old unarmed Ka John Paul in the thigh while he wa cooking outside a hut in Barangay Salvacion on April 17. NPA-Eastern Visayas spokesperson Ka Karlos Manuel said Ka John Paul belonged to an NPA unit aiding the militarized masses.

“He was still alive but could not fight when the enemy captured him. Instead of treating his wound, they tortured him to extract information on comrades’ locations,” Manuel said. The spokesperson added that extracting no information from the Red fighter, troops deliberately shot him in the chest and killed him.

Troops planted an M4 rifle on Ka John Paul’s remains to make it appear he fought armed and exchanged fire. The 46th IB had earlier falsely identified Ka John Paul of being a 17-year-old minor to villify the people’s army of child recruitment.

The people’s army firmly belied this accusation and emphasized that Ka John Paul stood at 20 years old. The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas said Ka John Paul and his family hails from Matuguinao town. The 8th ID military violence forced them to evacuate to San Jose de Buan. To confront and thwart military attacks, he joined the NPA in 2023 upon reaching legal age of 18.

Fascist troops captured unarmed Ka Mike and Ka Oking on April 23 in Motiong town. The NPA-Eastern Visayas report said the two simply walked across a vast carabao pasture carrying out mass work.

The fascist soldiers tortured them all night upon capture, and having extracted no information, willfully killed them. Manuel said signs on the two remains showed faces battered by beatings and bodies riddled with bullets.

To claim the two died in an encounter, soldiers staged a fake battle on April 24 morning in Barangay Caulayanan. They planted M14 rifles on their bodies.

NPA-Eastern Visayas honored the three martyrs and heroes for their firm stand and service to the Samarnon masses and Filipino people until their last breath. “We salute them and pay them highest tribute,” Manuel said.

He added they bravely faced death, never betrayed the masses and comrades, and instead confronted the fascists’ torment and brutality with full courage. “Their death holds honor, offered for comrades’ safety, for the masses’ welfare and revolution. They are great heroes of the people!” he declared.

He said NPA units in Eastern Visayas will advance the people’s democratic revolution to achieve justice for the three martyrs and all victims of the state’s fascism. He added this further exposes the fascist military’s rottenness and proves the correctness of armed struggle against the reactionary system. “This only fuels the people’s desire to achieve justice against the fascist brutes who oppress and exploit them,” Manuel added.