JIAN Markus Tayco and Royce Jethro Magtira, both in their early 20s, were killed in Tuy, Batangas, last June 23. Tayco was a former president of Anakbayan Southern Tagalog, while Magtira became the coordinator and spokesperson in 2022 of the Kabataan party-list in Cavite. Both had, in the words of their respective organizations, taken up arms and pursued the highest form of struggle (Anakbayan Cavite and Kabataan party-list Cavite Facebook pages, June 27, 2024).
Of course, there is nothing new or surprising about youths taking the step from Anakbayan or Kabataan to the New People's Army. Tayco and Magtira are two in a long list of leaders of these two youth organizations who chose or were chosen to "pursue the highest form of struggle." A profound yet seamless transition from above-ground to underground.
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