Military-Launched Operations Abject Failure But Cause Human Rights Excesses’

Maoist NPA propaganda statement excerpted in the Negros Daily Bulletin (Feb 12): ‘Military-Launched Operations Abject Failure But Cause Human Rights Excesses’

Grave human rights violations primarily victimizing farmers and indigenous peoples intended to destroy what the military thinks would be the guerilla New People’s Army (NPA) have been committed over a number of weeks starting in January last month extending up to this month, Ka JB Regalado, spokesperson of the Leonardo Panaligan Command for Central Negros said, in an official statement made available to various media outlets dated February 10, this week still.

The grave human rights violations and violations of International Humanitarian Laws (IHL) happened in the course of raging military operations obviously intended to destroy the guerilla army because of a timetable set by the military in Negros Island’s high military command. But the military operations are a complete failure, said Ka JB Regalado, but which have harmed those living in the hinterlands of Kabankalan and Himamaylan cities.

Used in the military operations starting December 22 up to January 15, 2014 or this year were three army units belonging to the Third Infantry Division’s 302nd and 303rd Infantry Brigade, the first operating in nearby Negros Oriental Province and the second based in the province of Negros Occidental.

Deployed army units from both brigades were the 11th IB, 47th IB and the 302nd Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC). Even during the December-declared government ceasefire, the troops operated the Central Negros, rebel spokesman said.

"Like a hungry tiger and angry lion, the units encircled and exerted efforts to destroy the NPA units in Tan-awan Village in January 18, and, who threatened, pointed their guns and physically harmed farmers-residents in villages and sub-villages," said Ka JB Regalado.

"The NPA was able to learn about the military unit’s presence after smelling the dried fish the members of the over 200 soldiers cooked as viand. The NPA spokesman wondered aloud why the soldiers were subsisting on dried fish when C-rations consisting of corned beef and sardines were the usual food fare during operations of this kind.

But as usual, those victimized during military operations are people living in villages with cases documented because until now the operation goes on.

In Pangkulan Subvillage, Tan-awan Village, Kabankalan in one of their military operations, soldiers forcibly held Vilma Medes and forced her to tell "where the NPAs were hiding."

In Buco Subvillage in the same village, Tan-awan they stayed in the households of Wachu Medes, Badak Callet and Lollyboy Callet following them wherever they went including when they would relieve themselves.

Soldiers also purposely stepped on plants of Wachu Medes and Muriel Mumbay as well and in one serious evidence, they held 15-year old Dolay Medes pointing guns at her back, a jungle knife so she would tell whether there were rebels in the area. The young girl was hysterical and until now, suffers from trauma. Jovel Sampong was also several times asked to disclose "where the NPA were". Three young children of Gamay Yllano now fear going out of their house for their father, Gamay who is working in Dawahan Subvillage, Brgy. Buenavista in Himamaylan City.

Last January 27, two minors were held by the military in Cunalum Subvillage, Carabalan Village on suspicion they were NPA members having stayed in the house of one Darly. They were later detained for two days aside from having been forcibly interrogated and forced to admit they were NPAs. Remegio Espinas was arrested even without any warrant on January 28, his house searched and a .38 caliber revolver planted.

During the Cunalom Village barrio fiesta January 29-30 soldiers accosted attendees on the road, conducted searches and questions. Many went home.

February 2, Jessie Pacheco Taub was arrested by soldiers while tending to his carabao in Madaja Subvillage, Buenavista Village, hogtied while pointing a machinegun aimed at his head, an M-16 on his back and a knife on his neck.

This to force him to "confess" he was an NPA member. He was released that day but warned to keep mum about his ordeal.

And the soldiers forcibly stayed in the house of Itoman leader biting Pacheco, while Revmar Escano was bathing in the river February 5 in Amaga Subvillage, Buenavista Village and beaten up. A witness heard the cries for help of Escano who until now is missing.

But despite the military’s sustained operations against the NPA what they always find are empty encampments. The soldiers are suffering from hunger and fatigue because of this, but are given as provisions only cassava and bread as solid food.

The troops are cruelly aggressive because they are told they must destroy the NPA within six months and then move over to Panay Island.

The military has already appealed for extension of their deadline which is an additional six months but in their haste to do so, they have become impetuous and committed grave excesses and serious human rights violations.

But JB Regalado said, "no matter how many NPA camps they come across and destroy by burning, the guerillas are in the hearts and minds of peasants and workers already and are being nurtured by the masses.

http://ndb-online.com/021214/local-news/local-news-%E2%80%98military-launched-operations-abject-failure-cause-human-rights-excesse