THE EASTERN Mindanao Command will play support to the PNP-led operation against armed men who torched two cooperatives and killed three in Km. 16, Sitio Han-Ayan, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Monday morning.
Col. Isidro Purisima, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander, the Surigao del Sur Police Station will lead the operation against 20 suspected members of the New People’s Army members responsible for the deaths of Emerito Samarca; Dionel Campos; and Aurelio Sinzo.
He said their primary task is to secure the communities,
“We shall not let these criminals roam around and threaten the peace in Surigao,” he said.
On Wednesday, Rius Valle, spokesperson of Save Our School Network, in a press conference at Haran compound said that the victims were killed by paramilitary groups.
However, Capt. Alberto Caber, information officer of EastMinCom, denied the allegations that the army is behind the killings.
“There are no paramilitary groups,” he said. It’s not true, we only have Cafgu (units).”
Meanwhile, Eliza Pangilinan, secretary general of Karapatan in Caraga, challeged law enforcement agencies to give justice to the victims.
“We call on the law enforcement agencies and the local prosecutors to seriously investigate the increasing spate of killings that are perpetrated by these groups,” Pangilinan told TIMES in an interview on Wednesday.
Pangilinan added that instead of filing charges against activists the police should look at the connection between the military and paramilitary groups.
“File charges and arrest them and bring a stop to impunity. This is the only way that communities can truly feel secure,” she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.