Military debunks latest HR complaint, says it's mere propaganda

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 16): Military debunks latest HR complaint, says it's mere propaganda

The military here brushed aside as mere propaganda the complaint of a farmer who claimed he was mauled by members of the 66th Infantry Battalion in Barangay San Roque, Nabunturan, this province. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said the aggrieved party should have filed his complaint with the police for proper investigation. He said the complaint could have been heard in the proper venue where the accused can answer the charges. “The aggrieved party must file the complaint before a proper forum so that the accused can answer his accusations," Paniza said. The complainant filed a formal complaint on Tuesday against the soldiers before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR XI) and claimed he was mauled by them as they allegedly identified him to be a rebel leader operating in the area. Paniza said the military leadership ordered an investigation on the eight soldiers and two militiamen who allegedly figured in the incident. However, he doubted the veracity of the complaint, saying it could just be another plot to discredit the soldiers. Paniza also expressed doubts on the credibility of the complainant who allegedly demanded P3,000 for the damages during a forum held in Barangay San Isidro, Nabunturan. He said the soldiers declined to yield to his demand and cited all his claims as baseless accusation. Colonel Antonino Florendo, commanding officer of the 66th IB, expressed willingness to cooperate to an objective investigation on the alleged incident. He maintained that his soldiers did not commit human rights violation. “With the current thrust of winning the peace, the Army has put premium in the protection of the people, respect for human rights and the observation of the International Humanitarian Law,” Florendo said.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=471975