Darwin Hamoy went to deliver cigarettes to a birthday gathering and never returned; family disputes police “nanlaban” account, while later forensic examination classified his death as homicide.
MANILA — The Truth Commission (TC) invites members of the press, news organizations, journalists, legal professionals, human rights advocates, and the public to cover or attend its 2nd Public Truth-Telling Session on “drug war” killings on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center on UN Avenue in Manila.
The session will feature Mariza Hamoy, mother of Darwin Pasiluna Hamoy, who was 17 years old when he was killed during a police operation in Payatas, Quezon City, on August 15, 2016.
The family disputes the police account that Darwin and the other victims “nanlaban” during a buy-bust operation. Years later, a forensic examination of Darwin’s exhumed remains documented injuries consistent with gunshot wounds and classified his manner of death as homicide.
Mariza will publicly recount her son’s death, her search for his body, the family’s struggle to bury him, her pursuit of complaints against police officers, and the threats and pressure she says she experienced while continuing to seek justice.
EVENT DETAILS AND MEDIA ADVISORY
- WHAT: 2nd Public Truth-Telling Session of the Philippine Truth Commission
- WHEN: Thursday, August 27, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 12:15 PM
- WHERE: 2nd Floor, Plenary Hall, Pope Pius XII Catholic Center, UN Avenue, Manila
- LIVESTREAM: YouTube, Facebook Live, and www.truthcommission.ph
- KEY TRUTH-TELLER: Mariza Hamoy, mother of Darwin Pasiluna Hamoy
- FORENSIC PRESENTATION: Dr. Raquel B. Del Rosario-Fortun, forensic pathologist and Truth Commission member
- RSVP DEADLINE FOR MEDIA: On or before Tuesday, August 25, 2026
BACKGROUNDER: THE CASE OF DARWIN HAMOY
Darwin Pasiluna Hamoy was a 17-year-old third-year junior high school student under the Alternative Learning System who lived with his family in Payatas, Quezon City. His mother remembers him as a good son who tried to help the family financially by carrying people’s purchases from the market in exchange for small amounts of money.
On the night of August 14 and into the early morning of August 15, 2016, Darwin was with his parents at a wake in Payatas. He later left after telling his mother that he would play video games nearby.
According to the family’s account, an acquaintance who was celebrating his birthday asked Darwin to buy cigarettes. Darwin went to the house to deliver them.
Witness accounts state that police officers arrived at around 12:45 a.m. and opened fire on the group.
Witnesses reported that Darwin was shot and protested that they were unable to fight back. They further alleged that an officer instructed that Darwin be finished off because he might become a witness, after which he was shot again. Police described the incident as a buy-bust operation in which the victims allegedly fought back. Darwin’s family disputes the “nanlaban” account and alleges that a gun and drugs were planted near his body. Mariza was not present when Darwin was shot. After learning of his death the following morning, she searched for him through hospitals and funeral homes before eventually locating his remains. The family later struggled to raise money for his funeral and burial.
According to Mariza’s ICC application, she filed a murder complaint against 17 police officials allegedly responsible for the killings. The complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman was later dismissed after two co-complainants withdrew. She subsequently pursued a case against the same respondents before the Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police. Mariza has reported receiving threats, harassment, and pressure to withdraw or settle the case, but has continued to seek accountability.
FORENSICS AND THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH
Darwin’s remains were exhumed in August 2021 and examined by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel B. Del Rosario-Fortun. The postmortem examination documented perimortem fractures of the right clavicle and ribs consistent with gunshot wounds to the trunk and classified Darwin’s manner of death as homicide.
The forensic classification does not by itself establish criminal responsibility. The findings, however, provide an important scientific component of the documentary record surrounding Darwin’s death.
WHY THIS PUBLIC TRUTH-TELLING MATTERS
The Hamoy case brings together several recurring issues associated with the Philippine drug war:
- The killing of a minor
- A disputed “nanlaban” narrative
- Allegations of planted evidence
- A police operation involving multiple fatalities
- Forensic evidence obtained years after the killing
- Complaints filed against 17 police officials
- Reported threats and pressure experienced by a surviving family member seeking accountability
- The long-term psychological, social, and economic consequences experienced by surviving families
The 2nd Public Truth-Telling Session will bring together survivor testimony, documentary records, forensic evidence, and institutional questions as part of the Truth Commission’s continuing effort to establish and preserve a credible public record of drug-war violence.
BACKGROUNDER: THE TRUTH COMMISSION
Formally launched in May 2026, the Philippine Truth Commission is an independent, civil-society-led initiative established by Church leaders, human rights advocates, lawyers, academics, and other stakeholders to document killings and human rights violations associated with the Philippine government’s anti-drug campaign.
The Commission is guided by adviser Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David (Bishop of Kalookan and CBCP President) and chaired by former International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Atty. Raul Pangalangan. Its panel of commissioners includes forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun, theologian and educator Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, trauma expert Dr. Al Fuertes, human rights advocate and researcher Carlos Conde. Chris Magno, a noted academic on political and state-sponsored violence, serves as executive director.
Its work seeks to establish a credible public record, provide trauma-informed spaces where victims and survivors can tell their stories, and develop recommendations toward truth, justice, accountability, institutional reform, remembrance, and healing.
MEDIA ACCREDITATION AND COVERAGE GUIDELINES
Members of the press are requested to confirm attendance on or before August 25, 2026, to facilitate media accreditation and venue arrangements.
Note on Ethics and Safety: Participation in Truth Commission proceedings is voluntary. Members of the media are requested to observe trauma-informed reporting practices and respect the dignity, security, privacy, and physical and psychological well-being of Truth Tellers and their families. No media interviews with Mariza Hamoy or members of her family will be permitted immediately after the session. Members of the media may instead interview Commissioners and designated Truth Commission officials at the venue.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
- Mariza Hamoy will give public testimony before the Commission.
- Dr. Raquel Fortun is expected to discuss the forensic examination and findings involving Darwin Hamoy’s remains.
- Commissioners and designated Truth Commission officials will be available for interviews following the session.
- Case background materials, high-resolution photographs, livestream information, and other media resources may be requested from the Commission.
MEDIA CONFIRMATION AND CONTACT
To confirm attendance, secure media accreditation, request background materials, or arrange technical requirements such as broadcast equipment space, livestream feeds, or interview slots:
Media Coordinator: Tessam Castillo Email: media@truthcommission.ph Information Contact: Jhecy Rebete Email: info@truthcommission.ph Truth Commission Website: www.truthcommission.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truthcommissionph YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@truthcommissionph X: https://x.com/truthcommPH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthcommissionph/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@truthcommissionph