The NDFP Special Office for the Protection of Children decries the killing of two minors in Toboso, Negros Occidental. We hold the Marcos Jr. regime and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) accountable for these war crimes and grave violations of children’s rights in armed conflict.
The killing of 15-year-old Jemina Gumadlas and 17-year-old Dexter Patajo, both residents of Negros, is a heinous crime and a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly the principle of distinction between combatants and civilians. Children, even in the context of armed conflict, must be afforded the highest level of protection at all times. The AFP’s indiscriminate firing in Toboso, which resulted in the killings of at least nine civilians, demonstrate a reckless disregard for these fundamental obligations to which the Philippine reactionary regime is party to and therefore must be held accountable to such obligations.
What further outrages the conscience is the fact that elements of the AFP even went to celebrate the outcome of their operations in an award-giving ceremony on April 24 following what they described as a “successful neutralization of armed insurgents” in Negros Occidental. This is despite full knowledge that two children were among those they massacred. Such conduct reflects not only a profound disregard for human life, but a deeply entrenched culture of impunity within the ranks of the AFP. The loss of children’s lives should never be celebrated.
Beyond the killings, the military operations of the 79th Infantry Battalion in Toboso have resulted in the mass displacement of civilians. Reports indicate that over 600 families were forcibly displaced in Toboso, effectively uprooting families including many children from their homes and exposing them to further harm and trauma. This mass displacement constitutes yet another grave violation of children’s rights and humanitarian protections afforded to civilians.
The AFP already has a long record of grave violations against children, including killings, forced displacement, psychological trauma, and the militarization of their communities. This has only intensified under the current Marcos Jr. regime.
In Negros Occidental, Ben and Ravin Fausto, 14 and 11 years old were shot dead on June 14, 2023, together with their parents Roy and Emelda Fausto, both farmers. The parents of the boys were tagged by the AFP and the NTF-Elcac as members of the New People’s Army. The perpetrators were unnamed armed state agents in Himamaylan City.
Another incident occurred in Sitio Natuling, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental last July 26, 2022. In the morning of said date, the 59th Infantry Battalion straffed the home of Christina Jacolbe, a pregnant mother killing her, her 16 year old daughteer, Everly Kee Jacolbe and Roldan Montero.
These are just some examples of the killing of minors in Negros Island. Since Marcos Jr. assumed office in 2022, at least 11 minors have been killed in military operations of the AFP.
We call on genuinely independent human rights bodies, both domestic and international, to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation into the Toboso massacre. The AFP commanders, the 79th IB, the specific unit involved in the operation and Marcos Jr. himself as commander-in-chief must all be held accountable, and justice must be rendered to the victims and their families.
Reference: Coni Ledesma, Head of the NDFP Special Office for the Protection of Children