PA chief vows justice in troop abuse

From the Mindanao Times (Mar 14): PA chief vows justice in troop abuse

THE PHILIPPINE Army chief assured the victims of justice as the investigation continues into the soldier and four militiamen who reportedly tortured a Lumad farmer in Barangay Demoloc in Malita, Davao Occidental on Feb. 19.

Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año, commanding general of the Philippine Army, in an interview said that they will make sure that the truth will come out.

“We will ensure that appropriate charges and punishments will be applied,”Año said. “An investigation is already ongoing to determine the culpability of the alleged suspects.”

Año further said that the Army leadership shall enforce strictly the discipline and order of the organization.

“To all the soldiers, I’m directing them to strictly observe, respect and protect the human rights of the people. Violators shall me meted with appropriate actions with the full force of the law.”

In a separate interview, Maj. Gen. Rafael Valencia, commander of 10th Infantry Division, said that he is giving the commander of 72nd Infantry Battalion one week to complete the investigation.

“The 72nd IB is still getting the statements of Corporal Sandy Batolbatol, four militiamen, the victims and other witnesses as well as gathering other documentary evidences,”Valencia said.

According to Valencia the possible sanctions of the soldier will only depend on what the investigation will be able to establish.

Valencia already  ordered to relief of Batolbatol and four militiamen from their detachment in Malita lastweek .

The Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. As a signatory to this treaty,  the state has the duty to respect and implement this covenant.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of 10th Infantry Division, said they were shocked and saddened by the actions of their soldier and SCAAs perpetrated against Mr. Orlando ‘Kaido’ Engo, 52, and his two grandsons as shown in a Facebook post.

In a facebook post , Batchar said: “Pursuant to Articles of War 70, Cpl Sandy Batolbatol and four SCAAs who are possibly involved in the said incident are now placed under arrest by the Commander of 72nd Infantry Battalion at their headquarters at Camp Gen Manuel T Yan Sr, Barangay Tuboran, Mawab, Compostela Valley Province. They shall be restricted to barracks to insure their appearance while the investigation is on-going.

“As of now, the names of the four SCAAs are being withheld until the investigation has clearly established their involvement in said incident. Due process of law shall be strictly observed in the investigation and when evidence warrants, they will be prosecuted with the full force of military justice, including trial by Courts-Martial. The soldier and the CAAs are subject to military laws.

“The command further reiterates that the investigation will not prejudice any investigation that maybe conducted by other agencies and shall make available the soldier and CAAs for such investigation.”

Spokesperson of Bayan-SMR Sheena Duazo said condemned the actions of the soldier and the militiamen on the farmer they accused of masterminding the theft from a sari-sari store.  She said that it was a clear violation of the law and they deserved to be punished for what they did to a civilian.

Bayan was one of the first organizations informed of the incident.

In the MindaNews  report, Orlando  was falsely accused of sending his 14-year-old grandson, Ian, to steal from a store in Sitio Matamis.

Fetched by the father of the store owner and three SCAA militiamen at his house on the morning of that day, Kaido proceeded to the barangay hall but was brought directly instead to the SCAA detachment where Batolbatol was waiting for him.

Kaido’s son and Ian were also at the detachment. Batolbatol accused Kaido of masterminding the theft in Matamis.

When Kaido denied the accusation the sergeant started beating the frail-framed Kaido with a piece of wood hitting his behind.

After hitting him 10 times, Batolbatol ordered Ian to beat up his grandfather; the boy complied.

Later, it was the turn of the SCAA militiamen.

They hit Kaido on the head with a piece of wood. They repeatedly hit him with their fists on his side, on the chest and stomach.

Not satisfied with beating up Kaido, the militiamen placed ice under both his armpits, in his trousers by his bottoms and his groin. They then poured ice cold water on his whole body. Unable to take anymore, Kaido agreed to sign a document admitting to having sent his grandson to steal from the store. He was released soon after that.

On the evening of that same day, Kaido, together with his daughter-in-law, proceeded to Malita to file a police report as well as have himself examined by a doctor.

According to the doctor’s report, Kaido had a 5cm laceration on his head, “contusion hematoma anterior chest, swelling hematoma at left wrist, and hematoma at buttocks area.” MindaNews

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