The New People’s Army (NPA)-Northern Samar (Rodante Urtal Command) exposed the results of a recent investigation into the killing by the 43rd IB of its Red fighter and cadre Joshua Sagdullas (Ka Miyong) on May 28, 2023. According to the unit, the military violated the rules of war and international humanitarian law (IHL) in capturing Sagdullas, torturing him, and willfully killing him.

The investigation found that the 43rd IB captured Sagdullas alive in Barangay Mabini, Catarman while he was no longer in a position to fight. They subjected him to severe torture, such as tying a rope around his neck and dragging him until they reached the village. He was killed when he was already under military custody.

Rules on respecting the rights of those no longer able to fight or hors de combat are laid out in the IHL and in the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). This is an agreement signed by the panels of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines on March 16, 1998 in The Hague, The Netherlands, specifically focused on areas with armed conflict.

Under Part IV (Respect for International Humanitarian Law), Article 4, Number 1 of CARHRIHL: “Persons hors de combat and those who do not take a direct part in hostilities are entitled to respect for their lives, dignity, human rights, political convictions and their moral and physical integrity and shall be protected in all circumstances and treated humanely without any adverse distinction founded on race, color, faith, sex, birth, social standing or any other similar criteria.”

NPA-Northern Samar spokesperson Ka Amado Pesante, despite the torture Sagdullas endured, he remained loyal to the revolution and to the aspirations of the people. “He did not betray any comrades and the masses even as the enemy forced him to speak,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pesante shared that the people’s army only recently completed its report on the full incident amid intense military intimidation of the masses and heavy militarization in the area. “Because of this, we deeply apologize to Joshua’s family and his loved ones,” Pesante said.

Tribute and honors

The NPA-Northern Samar honored Sagdullas and three other Red fighters anew on the third anniversary of their martyrdom. “Although delayed, our entire membership wishes to convey the highest honors for his faithful service and sacrifice for the liberation of the peasant masses and the broad masses,” Pesante said.

Sagdullas came from the upper petty bourgeois class in the city and became aware of social conditions while studying at the University of the Philippines-Tacloban. He served as chairperson of the UP Tacloban Student Council in 2015-2016 and as national chairperson of Kasama sa UP in 2016-2017.

He graduated magna cum laude for a BA in Political Science in 2017. After leaving the university, he decided to become a full-time activist in the city and served as Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Eastern Visayas spokesperson and secretary general from 2018 to 2020.

Understanding the importance of armed revolution and the intensity of fascist repression under the Duterte regime at the time, Sagdullas joined the NPA in Eastern Visayas and went full-time in 2020. As a Red fighter, he operated in Northern Samar, particularly in the first district.

He served as a political instructor and a key officer who contributed to the comprehensive strengthening of the revolutionary movement in the province. He helped build mass bases, and launch anti-feudal and anti-fascist struggles, and armed offensives, according to the army unit.

“In the short time we were together, we witnessed his rapid remolding, strong unity with fellow comrades, and quick closeness with the masses,” Pesante said. He added that Sagdullas now serves as an inspiration to other youth awakening to the need for revolution amid the deepening crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal system.

On the anniversary of his martyrdom, Bayan-Eastern Visayas and other progressive organizations also remembered and honored him.