DAVAO CITY, Philippines— The National Democratic Front-Far South Mindanao Region (NDF-FSMR) condemned a military and police operation for allegedly killing a fighter who was hors de combat in Polomolok, South Cotabato on Oct. 30.
In a statement, the NDF-FSMR identified the man as Noel Pamaong, 60, also known by the aliases “Ka Lauro” and “Ka Julio.” The group said Pamaong had been on medical leave and was removed from his New People’s Army unit in 2024 because of his health condition.
Pamaong suffered from hypertension, acute ulcers, rheumatism, chronic kidney disease and diabetes. Because of this condition, he was unarmed when the government forces conducted the operation, the group said.
“Ka Lauro has long been separated from his NPA unit. He was placed under the care of the masses as early as 2024 and has not carried weapons because of his health condition,” the statement said in Cebuano.
The NDF-FSMR also disputed the military’s reported recovery of a .45-caliber pistol and a hand grenade at the scene, accusing soldiers and police of planting the weapons to justify the operation. It denied claims that Pamaong resisted or engaged government forces in a firefight.
The military identified Pamaong as the alleged head of the NPA’s Regional Instructors Bureau. It said he was killed during a joint law enforcement operation in Barangay Silway 8, Polomolok, at about 8:30 p.m.
According to the military, authorities were serving an arrest warrant for Pamaong in multiple attempted homicide cases.
The warrant, which carried a recommended bail of P120,000, was reportedly issued July 6, 2023, by Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Surallah, South Cotabato,.
The operation involved personnel from the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade and 603rd Infantry Brigade, in coordination with the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office.
Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central based at Camp General Gonzalo Siongco in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindnao del Norte, commended the coordination between military and police units and acknowledged residents’ cooperation in supporting peace and security initiatives.
NDF-FSMR said Pamaong was on his way to visit a relative in Polomolok when the incident happened. His companion and driver, Laurence Porras, also known as Biboy, was wounded in the shooting and reportedly in critical condition.
The group said Porras was a civilian who accompanied Pamaong during the trip. It called for an impartial investigation and urged human rights advocates to seek justice for both men.
“The 6th ID’s touted accomplishment of the killing of Ka Lauro, who was hors de combat, and the wounding of a civilian, constitutes clear violations of IHL and the laws of war,” the group said.
Under Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, parties to a non-international armed conflict must treat humanely people taking no active part in hostilities, including those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention or other circumstances. Violence against such persons, including murder, is prohibited.
The NDF-FSMR said Pamaong’s death violated international humanitarian law and called for accountability over the operation. (davaotoday.com)
