Justice for boy brutally killed by NPA sought

DAVAO ORIENTAL — The Provincial Peace and Order Council strongly condemns the atrocities of the New People’s Army Rebels especially on the brutal killing of a ten-year-old boy. The Council, during its meeting on June 27, passed a resolution condemning the “heartless” killing and the subsequent burning of the house where the child had stayed. Lt. Col. Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, Commander of the 67th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, called on the people of Davao Oriental to help fight the “bandits” by speaking up against their atrocities and to rally support in seeking justice for the child. “This is plain and simple murder,” Obligado said, “now is the time to make a stand. Killing an innocent and helpless child is simply unacceptable.”

Justin Padao was sound asleep, dawn of June 25, when a group of about 12 armed NPA rebels stormed the house where he was staying at Sitio Poblacion in the remote village of PM Sobrecarey in Caraga town. Witnesses said the rebels showered the house with bullets from high-powered firearms causing the child’s small body to become “horrifyingly” disfigured due to impact. “It was a horrific scene,” said the house owner Emmanuel Matilac. Matilac, who works as a barangay tanod (peacekeeper), said he and his three companions were inside the house while it was being attacked and barely escaped with their lives. After the attack, the rebels set his house on fire, burning all of his belongings. The boy’s father, Leo, who works with Matilac as tanod, is distraught over the killing of his only son. “I can’t understand why they have to attack that house. It wasn’t a military detachment but a civilian’s house,” he said. “My boy was innocent and helpless. I cannot understand why they had to kill him and all so brutally,” he lamented.

Justin, a fifth grader at Pantuyan Elementary School, was described by his father and teachers as an obedient and a kind child. He dreamt of being a soldier one day — a dream cut short by a tragic and meaningless death. Outraged citizens who thought of the crime as “disturbing” and “cowardly”, say this is a clear act of the violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). Amid the violence, military and police leaders are beefing up the security efforts in the area. (PIO DavOr)