AFP fatally shoots a minor in Masbate Island, falsely accusing the victim of being NPA Member.
The AFP then proceeds to twist the narrative by disseminating false information about an alleged encounter between their forces and the NPA, involving the four individuals. However, according to the account provided by Belan’s family, their son has no affiliation or involvement with the NPA. Furthermore, one of his companions was injured while the other three were arrested without sufficient legal basis.
Last June 16, in Sitio Manaybanay, Barangay Calabad, Dimasalang, Masbate, members of the 2nd Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines reportedly shot a 17-year-old boy named Rey Almario Belan and his four other companions. On that particular day, Belan was only hunting for food but was tragically killed by the military as he was mistaken for being a member of the New People’s Army.
The APCHRP vehemently denounces the brutal killing of minor Belan by the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We express strong condemnation towards entities such as NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict), NICA, and NSC for their role in perpetuating red-tagging within rural communities.
The Coalition calls on all freedom-loving peoples of the world to continue calling for justice for all victims of state-sponsored killings and to call on the government of the Philippines to investigate the heinous crimes by the AFP against its people.
