AFP soldiers committed multiple violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) in the case of martyred Red fighter Jordan Mopon. They violated the rights of Mopon’s family from the time the soldiers took custody of his remains until his wake in Rizal.

Mopon was a New People’s Army (NPA)–Southern Tagalog (Melito Glor Command) Red commander killed in a battle with the 73rd Division Reconnaissance Company on October 17 at Sitio Balagbag, Barangay San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan. A day after the incident, human rights groups immediately assisted Mopon’s family in recovering his body.

From the search’s onset, military units deliberately confused the family, subjected them to winding bureaucratic redtape, and put them under surveillance.

Karapatan–Central Luzon (CL) condemned these military actions saying, under IHL, the AFP’s obstruction, concealment, display, abuse, or other forms of coercion against those they killed constitute human rights violations. “Their deception, coercion, and intimidation of the relatives and paralegal support teams to delay or prevent the proper retrieval and mourning of their loved one’s remains are likewise violations of the law.”

Twenty-four soldiers encamped at the premises and surroundings of Faith Memorial Homes in Gaya-gaya, San Jose del Monte City, where Mopon’s body lay. Karapatan-CL said that some of the soldiers were armed with high-caliber rifles, while intelligence assets monitored the area.

The soldiers blocked and detained Karapatan’s paralegal and humanitarian team that intended to help the family, deliberately leaning on and blocking the funeral home’s doors to prevent any communication with the relatives. Despite this, Karapatan-CL remained at the funeral home to ensure that the Mopon family could bring home the remains.

On October 20, 73rd DRC and 80th IB forces reportedly loaded Mopon’s coffin onto a military vehicle for “delivery” to his barangay. Mopon’s family was also “brought along” in the military vehicle. Karapatan-CL expressed deep concern over this move, which exposed psychological intimidation and harassment intended to influence and compel the family to obey the military’s wishes.

At the same time, the military used the family to silence the reports and social media posts of the organizations assisting them. “This is a blatant suppression of the freedom of expression and the right to information,” the group said.

The military remained relentless even during Mopon’s wake. The 80th IB soldiers in full battle gear attended the vigil on October 21 in Barangay San Jose, Antipolo, Rizal. “The presence of armed personnel clearly violates the human rights of grieving families and communities and constitutes a form of intimidation and psychological warfare against civilians,” Karapatan-CL stated.

The group called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other relevant agencies to investigate this incident and hold those responsible accountable. They said the state’s armed forces must respect civilian spaces and stop terrorizing ceremonies that should have been protected by peace and respect for human life.

“Mourning is not a crime. Armed forces must not violate grief,” it said.