November 2009, in the suburbs of Maguindanao, Philippines. Samboy, a 15-year-old from a troubled background befriends a lonely newcomer, Ramon. Samboy swiftly includes the new boy in his life and takes him under his wing.
Intrigued to learn that Samboy is a member of a famous local militia group, Ramon begs to join in, as he finally sees an opportunity to have a family. Though reluctant at first, Samboy introduces and inducts Ramon into the militia.
At a rural checkpoint, a hundred men stand guard: Ramon is now one of them. They have been ordered to capture insurgents, and they wait until a convoy of eight vehicles arrives. Samboy sees that those inside are civilians. He is faced with the horrifying truth of their mission and decides to run away, imploring Ramon to go with him. But his pleas fall on deaf ears: Ramon is committed to stay.
Samboy runs off but he discerns he must go back for his friend. Upon his return, Ramon has done the unthinkable and joined in the killing.