State forces shot and killed 25-year-old civilian Joey Oas in Barangay San Carlos, Palanas, Masbate on June 29 at 2 p.m. They accused him of “resisting arrest.” The victim left behind his wife and two children.
A combined force of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU), Military Intelligence and Civil Operations (MICO), and PNP-Palanas reportedly stormed and surrounded the victim. Oas was surprised, and fearully ran away after seeing the large number of state forces. Instead of stopping him, soldiers and police fired at him and later claimed that he fired back.
To support the fabricated story, the police lied and said that Cataingan RTC Branch 49 had issued an arrest warrant for Oas on a murder charge. They also claimed that a .45 caliber pistol, magazines, and bullets were confiscated from him.
The military and police also accused Oas of being a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) sparrow unit.
Oas’ family, relatives, and acquaintances demand justice and accountability. They condemned the military and police for spreading lies on social media.
Besides the killing of Oas, the police endangered the lives and safety of civilians in the barangay by firing their guns, especially since it was market day (being a Sunday) in the area.
