Military asks groups to file case vs. errant soldiers in light of IP harassments
THE MILITARY has challenged progressive groups into filing a formal case over allegations of human rights abuses committed by government troops against Lumad communities.
Capt. Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said they are don’t condone any abuses by soldiers, and would welcome any complaint to be filed against them.
“We hope that at this instance these allegations will go beyond propaganda so that the division can cleanse our ranks of misbehaving soldiers,” Batchar said.
“We will wait for the formal complaints and investigation that will be conducted by the authorities,” he added.
Human rights group Karapatan tagged the military in the series of killings and harassments perpetrated against Lumads in the region.
Teresita Navacilla, 60, passed away on Saturday while she was confined in a hospital in Tagum City. She was attacked inside her house in Pantukan, Compostela Valley on Jan. 27.
The victim was one of the convenors of Save Pantukan Movement, a vocal critic of large-scale mining and the military’s Oplan Bayanihan. Prior to her death, she was a purok chairman of Gumaman in Barangay Kingking in Pantukan.
Alex Josol, chairperson of Indug Katawhan, was also rushed to the hospital after unidentified perpetrator/s slammed a hard and heavy object down his head in Purok Lawaan, Barangay Napnapan in Pantukan on Jan. 28.
“They were waiting for him as he was on his way to their tunnel,” Hanimay Suazo, secretary general of Karapatan-SMR, said.
Josol and Navacilla were small-scale miners who have accused troops from the 46th Infantry Batallion of human rights violations.
Reportedly, the manobos evacuated from Talaingod, Davao del Norte because they were allegedly harassed by a paramilitary group belonging to the 68th Infantry Battalion last Jan. 29.
There was also a report that four children of Datu Ginom Adil were abducted by alleged Alamara group in Sitio Tibukag ,Barangay Dagohoy in Talaingod on Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. but they were released on Friday.
According to Suazo, they were abducted because the paramilitary group wanted Datu Andil to stop break away from Salugpongan group. Datu Adil was among the tribal leaders who stayed in UCCP Haran allegedly out of fear for their lives from the Alamara.
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