The Philippine Army has created the “Task Force Calbayog” in
the bid to dismantle private armed groups (PAGS) in the city and nearby towns.
Col. Mario Lacurom, commander of the Army’s 803rd brigade,
said their central command has ordered for the creation of new task force after
the spate of killings of village officials and political leaders this month.
“Army troops has been deployed this week to different areas
of the first congressional district of Samar with the primary mission to
maintain peace and order in the area and to disarm, arrest all lawless elements
such as the private armed groups,” Lacurom said
Records from the Calbayog city police office show that just
in the first week of September 2016, six village officials and political
leaders were shot to death by unidentified private armies.
Village chief Darwin Tan of Payahan village was the latest
victim. He was murdered Sept. 9 while he was about to send his son to school.
“Private armies commit serious human rights violations
against those perceived critics and political opponents perpetuating a climate
of fear and repression,” Lacurom added.
The army confirmed that there are still splinter groups
operating in the interior villages of Samar
province.
And according to army reports, these groups cannot operate
without the support of politicians.
Among the splintered groups are known as Montealto,
Montealto-Belleza, Montealto-Moloboco, Montealto-Pasacas, Yrasga and Genesis
Oquendo.
On Tuesday, Philippine National Police chief Director
General Dela Rosa directed Samar police
provincial director Sr. Supt. Elmer Pelobello to disband all private armies who
are allegedly behind the recent killings of village officials and private
armies.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=922957
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