Two New People’s Army officials were abducted and executed, not killed in combat, the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command-NPA Negros Island claimed, calling it a breach of international humanitarian law.

Spokesperson Ka Maoche Legislador condemned the deaths of Noynoy Ponteras, also known as Ka Jojo, and Marisa Pobresa, or Ka Kim, claiming they were unarmed and considered hors de combat when they were killed.

The military had earlier reported that Ponteras and Pobresa died in a firefight with the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) in Hacienda Paraiso, Barangay Caduha-an, Cadiz City, on March 8.

The AGC-NPA disputed this, stating that Ponteras and Pobresa were abducted in Bacolod City on the night of March 7 by operatives of the Crime Investigation and Detection Group.

“They were tortured before they were executed and their bodies were later dumped in Sitio Paraiso,” Legislador said in Hiligaynon.

The NPA spokesperson accused the 79IB and the 303rd Brigade of fabricating the encounter to justify the deaths and to claim a bounty placed on Ponteras.

Legislador said the turnover of Ponteras’ remains was “a sham,” staged to appear as a proper handover while his family faced harassment behind the scenes.

“Their bodies were used for propaganda while their families were harassed and intimidated,” Legislador said, adding that state forces were exploiting the victims’ deaths to bolster their public image.

“The use of fascism [by the Marcos regime] and the refusal to address the root causes of armed conflict will only fuel the people’s resistance,” Legislador added.

“What happened to Duterte and his father Marcos Sr. serves as a reminder that no matter how long it takes, the long arm of the people’s justice will reach those responsible for social injustice,” Legislador said

The AGC-NPA called for justice for Ponteras and Pobresa, condemning what they described as state-sponsored killings and demanding accountability for their deaths.

Earlier today, March 18, Ponteras was laid to rest after a wake at a chapel in his hometown in Barangay Banago, Bacolod City.