Investigate the killing of two youths by Philippine military!

The International Coalition of Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) condemns the Philippine military for the killing of two youths in Uson, Masbate, Bicol Region on December 27, 2024. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families. Click here to read our full statement on the killing.

Together with the Foundation for Filipino Children and Children’s Rehabilitation Center, we demand a thorough investigation on the shooting incident that led to the killing of the two youths, one of whom is a minor. The open letter below will be delivered to Ms. Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.

Dear Ms. Gamba, 

We write to you out of concern for the recent killing of a fourteen year old and eighteen year old youth in the Philippines. Around 3am on December 27, 2024, Fourteen-year-old Jeffrey ‘JP’ Osabel and 18-year-old Redjan Montealegre were shot and killed while walking home alongside each other from a Christmas party in a nearby barangay. JP and Redjan were in Grades 9 and 10, respectively.

We are writing to request a thorough investigation of these killings, in which the Armed Forces of the Philippines are suspected. The shooting of these two school students continues a pattern of killings of civilians in Masbate by soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the last 12 months:

On September 26, 2024, Ronel Abril and another coconut farmer, Roger Clores, were allegedly killed by the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) in an alleged “armed encounter” with the New People’s Army (NPA). Witnesses confirmed that there was no encounter. On June 16, 2024, 17-year-old farmer Rey Belan was killed in an another alleged “encounter,” with the military accusing him of being part of the NPA. But according to accounts gathered by human rights groups, Rey Belan and four companions were on their way home after hunting when they encountered troops from the 2nd IBPA that opened fire, killing Belan instantly and wounding one of his companions. The other three managed to escape and reported the incident to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Banahao, Dimasalang.

The Philippine National Police in Uson, Masbate, have failed to make any arrests in all these cases. Meanwhile, killings which target children continue, and the families of Jeffrey and Redjav face an uphill battle in a judicial system that has continuingly failed in holding government officials, police and military accountable. The aforementioned killings are clear violations of international humanitarian law, which have been widespread under the Duterte and Marcos regimes, as documented in 2024’s landmark People’s Tribunal on war crimes in the Philippines. 

We appeal to you to urgently take action and appropriately respond to this killing, and to render justice for Jeffrey and Redjan! 

Sincerely, 

(Signed)

Signatories:

Individuals

Áine Kelly-Costello, University of Otago
Alan Farnham, Amnesty International USA
Angela Miller, TerpCHRP
Anna Casaje, Migrante Aotearoa
Anne Verzijl, Trade Union FNV
Boyan Mallory, Migrante Australia in NSW
Catherine Coumans
Claudine Lucente, Malaya Toronto
David Gilbert-Pederson, MN Workers United
Diwa Marcelino, Migrante Manitoba
Edwin Egar, ICHRP Korea
Edwin Subijano, Migrante Australia
Eric Tandoc, Malaya Movement San Diego
Erlinda Alvarez, Lingap Migrante
Gary King, Amnesty International
Grace Bariso, Gabriela Aotearoa
Harold Uber Kellogg, Oakland Educators Association
Jane Timbrell
Johnna Mortensen, International Forum
John Queripel
John Witeck, Hawaii Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Kai Koski, Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights
Kandeel Imran, University of Toronto Scarborough
Kevan Hudson
Kim Garcia, Anakbayan North York
Lindsymae Corpuz, Anakbayan Montreal
Lloyd Woods, Philippines Solidarity Aotearoa
Luthfi Mawarid, ICHRP Canada
Lyn P
Mason Loeffler, TerpCHRP
Max Santiago, Migrante Aotearoa
Miko Mendizabal, ICHRP
Misha Sarita, Anakbayan Metro Baguio
Naida Castro, NEFFCON-IE
Nicole Corrado
Nikki Salde-Azzam, CA NV Philippine Solidarity Task Force of the UMC
Olivia Blahuta, ICHRP Canada
Patrick Tan, University of Auckland
Paul Rob, Philippines-Australia Union Link
Rafael Buemia, Bicol University College of Education
Rod Such, Jewish Voice for Peace
Royal Orr
Rev. Sandra Richards, United Methodist Church
Sheryl Cadman, FIRST Union
Susan Stout
Tai-Ge Min, Student Labor Advocacy Project of UCLA
Virginia Balanga, NEFFCON-IE

Organizations

Anakbayan Joyce
Aotearoa Philippines Solidarity
Australia Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines
California-Nevada Philippine Solidarity Task Force of the United Methodist Church
Canada Philippine Solidarity for Human Rights
Children’s Rehabilitation Center
Ecumenical Advocacy Network on the Philippines
Hawai`i Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
International Association of Peoples Lawyers
International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines
Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement)
Migrante Aotearoa New Zealand
Migrante Australia in NSW
Migrante Taiwan
Netherlands Philippines Solidarity Movement
Philippine Caucus for Peace
Philippines Australia Union Link
Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns
Steunfonds Filipijnen
Stichting Filippijnse Kinderen (Foundation for Filipino Children)