Army files raps versus 8; They’re not rebels – KMP

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 18): Army files raps versus 8; They’re not rebels – KMP

The eight suspected New People’s Army members who were recently arrested at an encounter site in Brgy. San Agustin, Isabela, were charged yesterday for double murder and multiple frustrated murder before the Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, town police Inspector Jason Manguilimutan said.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, however, dismissed the criminal complaints against Joel Dadlis, Christopher Dadlis, Randy Tubigon, Demas Lindayao, Abraham Lindayao, Roman Lindayao, Randy Lindayao, and Wilhem Lindayao, as “trumped-up” charges.

Eleven of the 19 persons were released from jail Friday, after the police found that they had nothing to do with the incident, that led to the killing of two Army soldiers and the injuries of four others, Col. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said Sunday. The remaining eight are now detained at the Isabela police jail, after charges were filed against them, in connection with the death of PFCs Dennis Acosta and Oliver Grecia and injuries of four soldiers identified as 1Lt. Shamon Pamittan, Sgt. Romeo Castellano, PFC Nesty Deniega and PFC Justino Esquibel, all assigned at the Alpha Company of the 11th Infantry Battalion. Three of the eight detained persons had tested positive for gunpowder nitrates, which indicated that they had fired guns, Patrimonio said.

KMP spokesman Antonio Flores, in a statement, claimed that the 19 farmers illegally arrested by the military belong to the Bukidnon tribe in Negros. “It is a desperate and cowardly retaliation against farmers and civilians by the military after suffering a shameful defeat in battle,” Flores said.

Dimas and Abraham Lindayao, however, admitted in an interview with ABS-CBN, that they are indeed members of the NPA. Dimas said the three magazines of firearms was left to him by the NPA, since he is a member of the group. He, however, denied owning the firearm recovered by the military. Abraham also told ABS-CBN, in behalf of the NPA, that he collected a can of rice and P5 every month from residents in the area. He said the P3 goes to the hukbo (NPA) while the remaining P2 is earmarked for the purchase of farm animals.

Of the 19 persons arrested by the military at the encounter site, 17 belong to the Bukidnon tribe, the National Commission on Indigenous People said. NCIP representative Melodina Cardinal said they are also conducting an investigation on the allegations against members of the tribal community. She, however, said that if they have committed crimes, they should also be arrested. Other detained persons, however, claimed that they were deceived by the military, who had requested them to carry their injured companions and personal belongings, before being detained at the Isabela police jail.

The items recovered by soldiers from the encounter site, that included combat packs, caliber .45 pistol with ammunition, magazines of M-14 and M-16 assault rifles, subversive documents and a CPP-NPA flag, among others, are now in the possession of the Isabela police. Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, warned members of the tribal group that they are being targeted for recruitment by the NPA, because “ they are very trusting people” and could easily be duped. Once the NPA gets their sympathy, they will be recruited to join the armed struggle and issued firearms, Lactao said.

KMP secretary general Greg Ratin claimed that “Barangay San Agustin is now heavily militarized and we fear for the safety and security of the farmers there”. Ratin also called for the immediate release from what he called the illegal and arbitrary detention of the eight farmers and for the military to vacate the area. Patrimonio said he has already pulled out troops from the area, in compliance with the 18-day ceasefire being observed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which took effect Sunday, and will end Jan. 2 next year.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/December/18/topstory4.htm