CHR to probe rebel deaths in Kabankalan, Bago salvaging

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 26, 2023): CHR to probe rebel deaths in Kabankalan, Bago salvaging (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The Commission on Human Rights will conduct an independent probe on the death of six suspected New People’s Army rebels, reported by the Philippine Army to have died in a gun battle in Kabankalan City, as well as the reported “salvaging incident” in Bago City, all in Negros Occidental.

Vincent Parra, head of the CHR sub office in Negros Occidental, yesterday said they received information that the New People’s Army claimed it was not an encounter, but an ambush.

Parra also said that they received reports that one of the casualties in the alleged encounter was a pregnant woman.

These are all allegations, according to Parra, that they will validate on Thursday, by looking into the police blotters, to check the identities of those killed in the reported encounter.

In a radio interview, the family of Rubin Gaitan, who was driving the tricycle used by the slain rebels, insisted that he is a not member of the NPA.

The military reported earlier that six NPA died in an encounter Thursday night last week in Sitio Lubi, Brgy. Tabugon, Kabankalan City, that also resulted in the recovery of five handguns, including a .45 caliber pistol owned by the late Army Sgt. Regie Glindro, among other items.

Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, earlier said that the rebels opened fire first at Army soldiers, prompting the soldiers to respond defensively.

Parra said that they will also investigate the reported salvaging of two victims in Brgy. Tabunan, Bago City, and the dumping of the body of a still unidentified person in Brgy. Efigenio Lizares.

The two “salvage victims” were identified by the police as Scott Pill Arevalo, 37, and Edward Pille, 28, of Brgy. Singcang Airport, Bacolod City, whose cadavers were claimed by their respective families during the weekend.

Upon discovery, both victims were hogtied, having their hands and feet bound together with packing tape. Their mouths and noses also covered with a thick layer of packing tape that could have caused their suffocation, said PSSgt. Armando Arao, Bago City police investigator.

On the other hand, the identity of a man, who was found dead on September 15 along the road of Hacienda Otilla, Brgy. Efigenio Lizares, Talisay City, has not yet been established by the police.*

https://visayandailystar.com/chr-to-probe-rebel-deaths-in-kabankalan-bago-salvaging/