FIVE alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA), including two women, were arrested after they were reportedly found transporting explosives in a military checkpoint in Barangay Mangayon, Compostela, Compostela Valley Sunday evening.
But a human rights group said those arrested, all farmers, were just framed-up as the military officers only planted the evidence.
Capt. Andrew Linao, the civil-military operation officer (CMO) of the 701st Infantry Brigade, identified the suspects as Rolan Segovia, Estanislao Talledo, Alexir Mata, Jhona Rose Baugto and Alicia Tidasan, all residents of Barangay Ngan, Compostela.
But a human rights group said those arrested, all farmers, were just framed-up as the military officers only planted the evidence.
Capt. Andrew Linao, the civil-military operation officer (CMO) of the 701st Infantry Brigade, identified the suspects as Rolan Segovia, Estanislao Talledo, Alexir Mata, Jhona Rose Baugto and Alicia Tidasan, all residents of Barangay Ngan, Compostela.
Linao told TIMES yesterday that troopers of the 72nd Infantry Battalion intercepted the five suspects in a detachment checkpoint in Mangayon around 8:10 p.m. Sunday for transporting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Five IEDs and six blasting caps were allegedly placed in sacks of rice.
Linao said the suspects are members of NPA’s Milisyang Bayan, but they are still establishing what unit the arrested suspects belong.
Five IEDs and six blasting caps were allegedly placed in sacks of rice.
Linao said the suspects are members of NPA’s Milisyang Bayan, but they are still establishing what unit the arrested suspects belong.
“They are laying and detonating IEDs,” he said.
The army captain said the apprehension was a result of the Martial Law imposed in Mindanao as NPAs are now pressured.
The Anakpawis Party-list, in its facebook post, is calling for the release of the five farmers.
The army captain said the apprehension was a result of the Martial Law imposed in Mindanao as NPAs are now pressured.
The Anakpawis Party-list, in its facebook post, is calling for the release of the five farmers.
Human rights group Karapatan in Southern Mindanao Region said the five arrested were farmers who are members of the Compostela Farmers Association (CFA).
The CFA, in its statement, said the five were supposed to attend a barangay-wide assembly of the local peasant organization in Purok 4B, Mangayon.
The statement said soldiers under the 66th IBPA held them around 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Karapatan said the farmers visited a lumad school when they were intercepted.
The CFA, in its statement, said the five were supposed to attend a barangay-wide assembly of the local peasant organization in Purok 4B, Mangayon.
The statement said soldiers under the 66th IBPA held them around 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Karapatan said the farmers visited a lumad school when they were intercepted.
Eight military agents interrogated and vilified them, the Karapatan said.
The explosives, the human rights group said, were just planted.
During the interrogation, “another seven military soldiers arrived and brought with them a sack of rice with a bomb inside.”
“They accused us that we were the ones who brought the bomb, they put it beside our bags,” Karapatan quoted Tindasan as saying.
Baugto’s mother, Rosalina, has sought the help of town council of Compostela for the release of her daughter and the four other farmers.
“It’s not strange to all of you the detained members of CFA, they are in fact, known defenders of peasant and lumad rights, that’s why I am asking all of you to help them be released immediately,” Rosalina appealed to the town councilors.
‘NPA rebels’ face rap for planting landmine
Meanwhile, the four suspects who reportedly planted a landmine at the roadside of Purok 2, Km. 26, Barangay L.S. Sarmiento, Laak, Compostela Valley on June 27 were already brought to the Nabunturan trial court for inquest proceedings.
The explosives, the human rights group said, were just planted.
During the interrogation, “another seven military soldiers arrived and brought with them a sack of rice with a bomb inside.”
“They accused us that we were the ones who brought the bomb, they put it beside our bags,” Karapatan quoted Tindasan as saying.
Baugto’s mother, Rosalina, has sought the help of town council of Compostela for the release of her daughter and the four other farmers.
“It’s not strange to all of you the detained members of CFA, they are in fact, known defenders of peasant and lumad rights, that’s why I am asking all of you to help them be released immediately,” Rosalina appealed to the town councilors.
‘NPA rebels’ face rap for planting landmine
Meanwhile, the four suspects who reportedly planted a landmine at the roadside of Purok 2, Km. 26, Barangay L.S. Sarmiento, Laak, Compostela Valley on June 27 were already brought to the Nabunturan trial court for inquest proceedings.
2nd Lt. Amadeuz Vincent John Celestial, civil-military operations (CMO) officer of 60th IB, identified the suspects as Junrex Mission, Jimmy Adlin, Romar Ruales and Ronel Tonlay, all residents of the barangay.
All four face charges for violating Republic Act 9516 or the law on the illegal possession, manufacture, dealing, acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Accordingly, they were caught around 6 a.m. by joint forces of Charlie Company of the 60th IB and L.S. Sarmiento Cafgu detachment under the Delta Company of the 72nd IB.
They were turned over to the police. Other explosive paraphernalia were also seized from the suspects upon their arrest.
Celestial told TIMES that the military has been conducting security operations in the area because of reports from residents and concerned citizens of NPA presence.
Earlier, around 10:25 p.m. of June 26, the military encountered around 10 armed men believed to be NPA members.
All four face charges for violating Republic Act 9516 or the law on the illegal possession, manufacture, dealing, acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Accordingly, they were caught around 6 a.m. by joint forces of Charlie Company of the 60th IB and L.S. Sarmiento Cafgu detachment under the Delta Company of the 72nd IB.
They were turned over to the police. Other explosive paraphernalia were also seized from the suspects upon their arrest.
Celestial told TIMES that the military has been conducting security operations in the area because of reports from residents and concerned citizens of NPA presence.
Earlier, around 10:25 p.m. of June 26, the military encountered around 10 armed men believed to be NPA members.
Communist front groups come to the aid of local insurgents. Anakpawis and KARAPATAN are Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) front organizations.
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