From the Visyan Daily Star (May 8): Army mulls charges vs.
NPA
The 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Siaton, Negros
Oriental, will seek the assistance of the Commission on Human Rights in filing
criminal charges against suspected members of the New People’s Army for an
encounter in Sta. Catalina town Monday.
Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Marion Sison, said yesterday that, according to
witnesses, around 30 rebels had used some residents of Sitio Cadlum in Barangay
Nagbalaye, Sta. Catalina, as human shields during the firefight with government
troopers that lasted for about 15 minutes.
Sison said soldiers acted on a tip from civilians about the presence of armed
men in a house in Cadlum, and were fired at as they approached. A firefight
ensued and while no casualties were reported, the presence of residents at the
encounter site had slowed down the soldiers’ efforts to fully engage and pursue
the armed group.
He added some witnesses had claimed that there were children in the
vicinity.
Sison said he had talked with CHR special investigator Jess Cañete on the
possible filing of charges, like violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on
Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law, the Commission on Elections
gun ban, and child abuse and exploitation under Republic Act 7610, against the
rebels.
He added that he will meet Cañete to submit the statements of the witnesses
and to discuss legal options Friday.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/May/08/negor2.htm
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