CPP: Statement of tribute to Roberto “Ka William” Cabales

We hereby share an unofficial translation of a statement from the Panay Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines regarding the murder of Comrade William (Roberto Cabales) and Comrade Badong (Mateo Suarez) by the old State of the Philippines.

The revolutionary forces and the wider masses of Panay, are deeply grieved and fully determined to achieve revolutionary justice for the treacherous murder of Comrade William (Roberto Cabales) and Comrade Badong (Mateo Suarez). Initial information indicates that the criminals, by any law, are the composite forces of the 301st Brigade (Bgde) under Nhel Richard Patricio and PNP-Iloilo under Bayani Razalan.

According to neighbors on the night of October 5, 3 gunshots were heard from Mr. Suarez’s house in Barangay Coto, Lambunao town, Iloilo. Someone was seen being carried from inside and loaded into an “ambulance”. The Barangay Captain of Coto confirmed that the two people were taken to the hospital but were already DOA. The next morning, an official statement was released by PNP Lambunao Chief Jose Winston Biadog. The composite forces of the PNP and AFP were “forced to shoot” them, because the two allegedly “resisted” when they were arrested under the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Amular of RTC 6 Branch 21. Aside from the cases, there is a price of 3.1 million pesos on Roberto Cabales’ head.

Even ordinary citizens can immediately see the rotten line of the “fighters” to cover up the killing of the two comrades. Only three gunshots were heard in front of the huge composite from the 61st IB, 82nd IB, PNP Intel Group, Lambunao Police and the neighboring city of Passi Police. In this scenario, the mercenary agents of the state want to believe and repeatedly deceive the people that the comrades fought back when it is clear that the two are incapable of fighting back.

For now, there is a clear case that can be brought against the elements who directly carried out the operation and the chain-of-command involved. This is murder and war crimes under International Humanitarian Law. If you recall, the 301st Brigade was also guilty of the killing of “hors de combat” in August 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 11 comrades.

These operations by the AFP and PNP further prove that they are trained as mercenaries and not as professional armies. Their intentional disregard for combat protocols and human rights is an orientation and method not far removed from that of criminal paid goons.

Their minds and actions are shaped by the blind implementation of repression and lies, dressed as the army of a system steeped in deep corruption and hopelessness, currently led by Marcos, Jr.

In the face of the increasingly intense and human rights-violating operations of the AFP/PNP, the NPA and revolutionary forces under the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines have remained steadfast in the struggle that will surely change the rotten and hopeless system.

One of the most respected leaders is Comrade William of the CPP and NPA. Comrade William, studied to be a doctor. He combined his training in western, eastern and traditional medicine to develop treatment for the masses who were largely deprived of proper medical services. His desire to become a doctor motivated him to join the movement to heal a society that was suffering from the disease of distrust and poverty.

Comrade Badong was a former member of the NPA, and due to his physical condition, it was better for him to leave the army. However, his desire to help the movement remained loyal and high.

The friends and family of Comrade William and Comrade Badong should do everything they can to bring the perpetrators of their murder to justice. The revolutionary movement has a style that will go through democratic judgment to enforce due justice to the victims of such crimes. But true justice cannot be fully achieved under a system that is rocked by corruption and stormed by the angry people’s movement.

The revolutionary movement that will build a society truly ruled by the conscious and oppressed people, and not by criminals and corrupt officials, will bring true justice not only for Comrade William and Comrade Badong but for all the revolutionary martyrs and people who sacrificed their lives for the people.

Let us take up the great tasks to advance the revolutionary struggle and persevere on the path taken by our valiant martyrs—until victory is achieved.

Long live and red salute to you, Brother William!
Long live all the revolutionary martyrs of the Filipino people!
Long live the Communist Party of the Philippines!