Army upholds rule of law in combat operations against rebels

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 25): Army upholds rule of law in combat operations against rebels

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar – The recent encounter of army troops with suspected members of the New People’s Army bespeaks of our troops respect to the Rule of Law, Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, said 8th Infantry Division Commanding General Jet Velarmino.

This, after some army troops encountered NPA members in a remote area of Barangay Bunga, Motiong Samar on August 19, 2015.

Based on the initial report of Lt. Col. George M. Domingo, Commanding Officer, 87th Infantry Batallion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, his troops were conducting combat operations to check the presence of NPA members in the outskirts of the barangay.

While approaching the area, the troops encountered a group of heavily armed NPA rebels.  Firefight ensued for some 15 minutes then the rebels withdrew from their temporary lair made of assorted leaves and wooden poles. 

Government troops immediately scoured the area which led them to a wounded NPA rebel left behind by his fleeing comrades.  He was identified by the barangay council of Bunga as Michael Gabane aka Lagbo.  The troops provided first aid to the wounded rebel and transported him to Camp Lukban Station Hospital.

After the encounter, troops recovered one caliber .45 pistol with live ammunition, one caliber .38, empty shells of AK47, two civilian backpacks containing NPA personal belongings and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

Domingo reported that there were no casualties on the government side, while one NPA rebel identified as Jenny Gabane aka Dacles was killed in action.  The troops, with the assistance of the barangay official, brought the cadaver to Motiong Funeral Homes for proper disposition.

Maj. Gen. Jet B. Velarmino, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, extended his appreciation to the troops for abiding the rules of engagement particularly in situation warranting attendance to wounded enemy combatants.

“These local NPA combatants are just victims themselves of communist leaders who take advantage of them just to pursue their personal motives.  As an abider of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), even a wounded enemy deserves immediate medical care. This was manifested by our troops despite of the volatile situation, when they provided immediate medical attention to the wounded combatant,” he added.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2681440511280/army-upholds-rule-of-law-in-combat-operations-against-rebels