Army battalion cleared of alleged torture of NPA rebs

From Malaya Business Insight (Mar 5): Army battalion cleared of alleged torture of NPA rebs

AN Army battalion has been cleared of alleged torture and attempted burning of two alleged communist New People’s Army rebels in Compostela Valley province from November 28 to December 6 last year.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said the Army’s 1001st Brigade established that no such incident took place.

Assisted by the human rights group Karapatan, Janry Mensis filed charges against the military before the Commission on Human Rights last Friday, more than three months after their supposed ordeal with the Army’s 71st Infantry Battalion.

Karapatan said Mensis and a companion, who it said are mere farmers, were initially accosted by the police on November 28 in Tagum City after being accused as thieves. It said policemen found no evidence against the two but were turned over to the 71st IB on the same day because they were supposedly NPA rebels.

The two were reportedly brought to the 71st IB headquarters where they were continuously beaten and not properly fed. On December 6, the two were taken to a mountain and thrown into a pit where soldiers allegedly tried to burn them.

Karapatan said the two pretended to be dead and escaped while the soldiers were withdrawing. Mensis, who suffered third degree burns, sought assistance from Karapatan officials six days after he and his companion escaped.

 “I had it investigated but the 1001st Brigade said there was no such incident. That report (allegations of Karapatan and Mensis) was fabricated,” said Madrigal.

The 1001st Brigade is led by Col. Erwin Neri, commander of the 1001st Brigade.

Madrigal added the military is open to investigation that would be conducted by other agencies.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/army-battalion-cleared-alleged-torture-npa-rebs