Army readying charges versus 19 alleged rebels

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 15): Army readying charges versus 19 alleged rebels

The Philippine Army was slammed yesterday by Karapatan for the arrest of 19 they claim to be innocent civilians in Isabela, Negros Occidental, who allegedly participated in the encounter, that resulted in the death of two soldiers, and injuries to four others.

Col. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, however, said they will pursue the filing of criminal charges against the 19 alleged rebels, who were arrested Thursday at the encounter site in Sitio Mahopaho, Brgy. San Agustin, Isabela. The Isabela encounter claimed the lives of PFCs Dennis Acosta and Oliver Grecia. Three of the four injured soldiers were identified as 2Lt. Shannon Pamitan, Sgt. Romeo Castellano and PFC Justin Esquibel, all assigned at the Alpha Company of the 11th Infantry Battalion.

Karapatan-Negros secretary general, Fred Cana, yesterday claimed that Army soldiers committed human rights violations, by arresting civilians they are supposed to protect. Cana said they will conduct a fact-finding mission today in Isabela town, on the alleged human rights violations by Army soldiers against civilians, and invited the media to witness it.

“Why were they in the encounter site”? Patrimonio asked, referring to the suspects arrested there.

The running gunbattle between 11th IB soldiers led by ILt. Von Ryan Gomez and about 40 armed rebels, led to the seizure of the NPA camp in the area, that could accommodate about 50 persons. The 19 individuals, including the three who claimed they were minors, were turned over Thursday night by the Philippine Army to the Isabela police, for further investigation. Patrimonio said they could be held liable for the murder of the two soldiers, and the attempt to kill four other government troopers.

Inspector Jason Manguilimutan, Isabela police chief, yesterday said the 19 persons endorsed to them, were subjected to paraffin tests by the PNP Crime Laboratory personnel to determine if they have fired guns. The items recovered by soldiers from the encounter site, which included combat packs, caliber .45 pistol with ammunition, magazines of M14 and M16 assault rifles, subversive documents and a CPP-NPA flag, among others, were also turned over by the Philippine Army to the police. Manguilimutan said they will only assist the Philippine Army in filing charges against the arrested individuals.

Gomez, who led his men in attacking the rebel camp, said the camp has several bunkers and running trenches, and is surrounded by five makeshift huts. He said the presence of armed rebels in the area was reported to them by civilians, and prompted them to conduct security operations that led to the encounter. Bloodstains were also discovered at the withdrawal routes of the rebels, bolstering reports that the NPA also suffered casualties in the gunbattle, he added. The latest armed engagement in Isabela brought to eight the number of government fatalities in 17 encounters with rebels in Negros Occidental since January, with eight soldiers injured, military records show.

Col. Oscar Lactao, who supervises the security operations in Negros Occidental, said the alleged involvement if any, of the arrested persons, could be determined through the accounts of soldiers, who had participated in the gunbattle.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/December/15/topstory2.htm