CATARMAN, Camiguin Province — Authorities have taken into custody a minor who allegedly admitted responsibility for the killing of a person with disability (PWD) identified as Johnrey “Baben” Ajan in Barangay Panghiawan, Catarman, a crime that has shaken the small island community and raised strong calls for justice and accountability.
According to Police Major Joann Navarro, spokesperson of Police Regional Office 10, the suspect is currently under the custody of the Catarman Municipal Police Station after information gathered by investigators led to the identification of a male minor who reportedly confessed to the crime.
Police said the suspect is facing a murder charge. However, due to his age, he will first be placed under a rehabilitation program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in accordance with laws governing children in conflict with the law.
Investigators disclosed that the victim was found lifeless inside a drainage area in Barangay Panghiawan. Authorities said the body was already decomposing when it was discovered and bore multiple stab wounds, which were determined to be the cause of death.
The brutal circumstances surrounding the killing have stirred outrage among residents and observers, particularly because the victim was a person with disability — a member of a sector considered among the most vulnerable in society. Many in the community are now questioning how such violence could occur in a small island province where residents often know one another.
Local voices have also called for a thorough investigation and full transparency from authorities, stressing that crimes against vulnerable individuals must be met with swift and decisive action. Community members emphasized that silence or reluctance to speak up could hinder justice and allow violence to persist.
Police assured the public that the investigation is ongoing and that authorities are working to determine the full circumstances behind the killing, including whether other individuals may have been involved.
The case has become a stark reminder of the responsibility of communities and institutions to protect persons with disabilities and ensure that those who commit violent crimes are held accountable under the law. Authorities urged anyone with relevant information to cooperate with investigators as the case proceeds.