Army to investigate alleged torture of farmer in NCotabato

From GMANews (Nov 28): Army to investigate alleged torture of farmer in NCotabato

The Army in North Cotabato has vowed to investigate the alleged torture of a farmer the soldiers had arrested after an armed clash with communist guerrillas in the hinterlands of Magpet town. Lt. Nasrullah Sema, chief of the civil military operations of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said torture and other bodily harm inflicted upon a civilian or a rebel is strictly prohibited under existing laws in the country. “If we find out our soldiers violated such rule, they will be sanctioned," said Sema. Aurelio Buhisan, 46, farmer from Poblacion, Magpet, claimed he was apprehended by soldiers of the 57th IB when he was tending his farm at Purok-6, Sitio Tanay in Barangay Doles last Monday (Nov. 26). He said the soldiers accused him of supporting the rebels. He said he was released three hours later. Magpet Mayor Efren Piñol said Buhisan showed some marks on his hands to prove he was tied while under the custody of the soldiers. Piñol said the victim also told him that two days earlier [last Saturday], he was arrested by members of a unit of the NPA in Barangay Amabel because of allegations that he is an informant of the 57th IB. “The civilians are always at a loss during clashes between the Army and the NPA. They are either accused by the NPAs as supporting the soldiers or the Army accusing them of supporting the rebels. Where will they go?” said Piñol. On Monday, around 9 a.m., some 20 fully-armed NPA guerrillas attacked patrolling 57th IB soldiers in Barangay Doles. The exchange of fires lasted until 1 p.m., police reports said. Sema said no soldier was hurt during the encounter. The fighting displaced 14 households or 53 individuals who are housed temporarily at the barangay hall in Doles.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/284083/news/regions/army-to-investigate-alleged-torture-of-farmer-in-ncotabato