In Zamboanga City, 3 boys found ‘salvaged’

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—The summary execution of three minors sent shock waves reverberating in this city that has been used to terror threats and terror-related crimes.

The bodies of Jerry Escober, 12, of Barangay Tumaga; Carlo Catalan, 15; and Elvie Dablo Jr., 14, were found in a farm in Sitio Gapuh in Barangay Cabaluay here.

Rights advocates and government officials are still reeling from the shock brought by the bodies’ discovery in a city that was supposed to be child-friendly.

Senior Supt. Edwin de Ocampo, acting city police chief, said the minors have been involved in petty crimes.

The minors’ bodies bore signs of torture—their hands and feet were tied, their faces covered with packing tape, their throats were slashed and their bodies bore multiple stab wounds.

Rafael Basilio Apolinario, Cabaluay village chair, said a farmer informed authorities of the bodies in his farm.

“It really bothers me to see young boys, or even adults, summarily executed, its not bonito (not good), very disturbing. We have laws, we don’t need to do this,” Apolinario said.

Claretian Missionary Fr. Angel Calvo, whose advocacy includes saving street children, on Thursday described the execution as “high-level criminality.”

Calvo said “a just society must seek justice and provide means to care for the children.”

De Ocampo said police have no motive yet. Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao