The Philippine Army's 403rd Brigade (403 Bde) in Bukidnon has decried the execution of a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA or Cafgu) member on October 27, by the New People’s Army (NPA), citing it is a violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
Pablo Omblero, a Cafgu member, was killed in Purok 18, Barangay Batangan, Valencia City, Bukidnon, while he was off duty from the Lumbayao Patrol Base.
Omblero, according to 403rd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen Edgardo De Leon, was unarmed, off duty, and has begged for his life.
"The NPA should have respected his rights enshrined by the IHL as he can no longer be considered combatant because he was already captured, disarmed, and therefore has no capacity to fight the armed NPA," De Leon said.
"We are recommending that the Local Government of Valencia City create a Fact-Finding Committee on IHL to investigate this issue. We also ask the Commission of Human Rights and IHL watchdog Karapatan to join the investigation of this NPA-perpetrated IHL violation," he said.
Omblero was declared dead on arrival at Adventist Medical Center with gunshot wounds in his face and abdomen.
Elizabeth Dela Torre, live-in partner of Omblero also decried the inhumane act of the NPA.
"Pito sila nga nagsulod sa amo balay sa, ilang gihigtan akong bana, gidala mi sa Batangan, grabe among pakitluoy, among hilaka apan mga walat konsensya ug kasingkasing. Ilang gipusil akong bana kaduha bisag walay ikasukol, sako atubangan pa gyud," Elizabeth narrated that there were seven armed men believed to be NPA rebels, who entered the room and brought them to a place in Batangan.
"We begged many times but they did not budge until they gunned my husband twice," she said in Bisaya.
"Why would they kill my husband even we did not fight back?" she said.
The Army said that Oblero was considered a “captive” when he was forcibly taken by NPA from his home.
According to IHL, a captive is not a combatant, thus he has the right to life and must be treated humanely.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084704
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