The New People’s Army (NPA)-Sorsogon (Celso Minguez Command) strongly condemned the Armed Forces of the Philippines elements for the abduction and secret detention of Gerald Gestole (Ka Chris), a guerrilla on medical leave. He was abducted on November 17, around 4:30 in the afternoon, at a tricycle stand in Barangay Crysanthemum, San Pedro, Laguna.

Gestole was returning home with his younger sibling from Robinson’s Mall when four unidentified men abducted and forcibly boarded him into a Mitsubishi L300 van. After the incident, Gestole’s family immediately reported the incident to the barangay and the police station.

On the night of the same day, Gestole video-called his mother asking her not to file a complaint about his abduction and informing her that his abductors are comrades turned AFP agents. The family received no news about Gestole’s whereabouts since then.

According to the NPA-Sorsogon, Gestole was granted medical leave in October for his health condition. He was incapable of fighting and should have been accorded his rights.

The abduction of Gestole is a violation of international humanitarian law and even in reactionary law, NPA-Sorsogon spokesperson Ka Samuel Guerrero said. “Gestole should be brought to court if any case was filed against him instead of keeping him in a secret location,” he added.

“The NPA-Sorsogon stands with Gestole’s family in demanding his immediate and safe surfacing and be allowed to see his family and chosen lawyer,” Ka Samuel further stated.

Gestole is addition to least 233 victims of enforced disappearances by state forces under the US-Marcos regime. In the past year alone (December 2023-December 1), 70 were victims of state disappearances.