Army decries Davao City Council’s bid to transfer village ground commander, his men

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 30): Army decries Davao City Council’s bid to transfer village ground commander, his men

A Philippine Army officer decried a City Council recommendation to transfer the ground commander and his troops accused in the massacre of three persons last June 14 in barangay Paradise Embac, Paquibato District, this city.

The spokesperson of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, first Lieutenant Alexandre Cabales called the recommendation “unfair” because their side was not heard. Cabales insisted that the June 14 incident was a result of a legitimate encounter between the military and the New People’s Army (NPA).

Cabales said the City Council can file cases against their soldiers as long as they have evidence to support the allegations.

It is unfair because you did not hear the other party. It is really unfair, they can’t defend themselves, especially on this allegation, Cabales said. He added that the military was reported a “no show” in the City Council when in fact they were not invited in the first hearing.

Cabales also claimed their soldiers were not given the chance to talk when they were finally invited by the City Council in the second hearing.

He, however admitted that he has not read the report on the investigation of the Committee on Civil, Political and Human Rights chaired by Councilor Karlo Bello.

Bello’s committee conducted an investigation of the incident wherein Commander Santos and his troops were accused in the massacre of Datu Ruben Enlog, Randy Canasa, and Garyo Quimbo. 

The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) had earlier said the incident was an encounter and that the three men were members of the NPA. In the incident, Army troopers reportedly recovered an improvised explosive device (IED), M-14 rifle and backpacks. 

Bello said the 69th IB described the incident as a “legitimate encounter” but Karapatan claimed it was an attack during a birthday party celebration. 

On Tuesday, Bello presented their committee report on the incident. The report suggested the reassignment of Santos and the soldiers under him outside of the city due to distrust and lack of confidence on the soldiers to protect the rights of the residents.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=787749