The Northern Negros Alliance of Human Rights Advocates and its allied progressive organizations yesterday marked the 28th anniversary of Escalante massacre, by denouncing what they claimed to be a continuing militarization of the 1st district of Negros Occidental, in the guise of the Army's humanitarian-related activities, and demolition of houses in Brgy. Balintawak, Escalante, that have dislocated several families.
NNAHRA secretary general, Bernardo Patigas, yesterday accused the military of taking civilians as human shields in Sitio Magtuod, Brgy. Bug-ang, Toboso, while pursuing suspected New People's Army rebels they had earlier encountered.
Patigas claimed that the encounter site is kilometers away from Sitio Magtuod, and described as plain alibi the statement of the military that fleeing rebels had sought refuge in the sitio.
It is impossible for the NPA to seek refuge in Sitio Magtuod since it is a plain area with a basket ball court and a cooperative building without walls, he said.
The encounter on Sept. 14 at the boundary of Brgy, Bug-ang, Toboso and Brgy. Puey,
Llorente was found dead Thursday in Sitio Vergara, Brgy. Bug-ang, Toboso,while Carbanuel, who was discovered to have been hiding at the residence of Norlito Rebalde at Purok Maranon, Brgy. Puey,
Carbanuel was brought by the 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers to a hospital in
Patigas,who led the commemoration and re-enactment of Escalante massacre, that had claimed the lives of 21 protestors on Sept. 20, 1985, said the Philippine Army committed a violation of Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, for not sparing civilians in the armed conflict.
About 5,000 people participated the march rally yesterday in Escalante, that was also participated in by members of the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers, NNAHRA and Karapatan-Negros, Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas, PISTON, its organizers claimed.
Patigas said they organized the KASAPE ( Kapunungan sa Pumuluyong Escalantehanons) to oppose the continuing demolition at the city proper of Escalante.
In Bacolod Bayan Muna Negros chairman Alejandro " Bundo " Deoma yesterday said 28 years after the Escalante Massacre they are still clamoring for justice for the victims.
The masterminds of the massacre have not been brought to justice until today, he said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/September/21/topstory6.htm
This is CPP front group propaganda/protest activity conducted to discredit the government and Philippine military.
ReplyDeleteNNAHRA is a CPP human rights front that is part of the national-level KARAPATAN HR front organization.
The National Federation of Sugarcane Workers, NNAHRA and Karapatan-Negros, Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas, PISTON and Bayan Muna are all CPP front groups as well.