Military to file complaint vs rebels who abducted soldiers

From the Mindanao Times (Jun 20): Military to file complaint vs rebels who abducted soldiers

A military official said they are preparing to file complaints against the communist rebels who abducted five soldiers in a checkpoint in Sitio Lubas, Barangay Poblacion, Paquibato on Monday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 69th Infantry Battalion commander, said in a text message that they will be filing charges against Leoncio Pitao or Kumander Parago and his men for kidnapping.

Pasaporte said that the 15 armed members of the Pulang Bagani Command 1, under Pitao’s command, staged a road block at around 2 p.m. and were tasked to take the soldiers.

The battalion commander said Cpl. Manny Quezon, Pfc. Ronald Gura, Pfc. Bernie Padilla, Pfc. Donato Estandia, and Pvt. Marteniano Pasigas Jr. were coming from Panabo doing a research for their upcoming feeding program as part of their peace and development outreach program.

The soldiers were on board two motorcycles when they were stopped by the rebels in camouflaged uniforms in a checkpoint. The team leader, identified as Lt. Neven Caanitan, jumped off the motorcycle when he realized that the men were NPA rebels.

He added it was possible that rebels were tipped about the soldiers heading their way after they boarded the motorcycles in Panabo. He said the motorcycle drivers were also abducted but immediately released two hours after.

“Our pursuit operation is still ongoing to recover and locate the group,” he added.

Sr. Supt. Ronald M. dela Rosa, city police director, said they will also make legal actions against the rebel group but they have to still coordinate with the operating units of the Philippine Army in the ground in Paquibato because the police is limited to the investigation of the crime.

Dela Rosa said that based on the report from the Paquibato station commander, Chief Insp. Romeo Abler, Pitao’s son, Ryan Pitao or Kumander Ryan, was responsible for the alleged abduction.

“Maybe we can file appropriate charges. But as to the rescue operation, we are just awaiting their plans,” he added. “They could possibly be filed with serious illegal detention, because that’s abduction.”

In a statement, Pitao said that the NPA’s active counter-intelligence and subsequent operations were meant to punish the government’s armed units, particularly the Civil Military Operations battalion under Maj. Jake Obligado for continuing to encroach, settle and conduct psychological warfare and intelligence operations in all villages of Paquibato District.

He added that there were three .45 caliber pistols and one hand grenade confiscated from the captives.

Pitao also disclosed that the peace and development outreach program has completely militarized the farmer and Lumad populace by regulating the movement of the civilian and abusing the masses.

“The fascist AFP has slyly employed anti-ambush methods by using two-wheel transport and masquerading as innocent service providers with civilian clothes and lack of high-powered firearms. Again, as in many of its twisted pronouncements in the past, the military has used the worn-out excuse that their troops were attacked or accosted by the NPA when the former were engaged in harmless chores like marketing,” Pitao said in a statement.

He also revealed that further intensification of the military operations in the city’s hinterlands under the cover of pursuit and rescue operations will only endanger the lives of the prisoners.

Pitao said they are currently undergoing investigation for possible serious human rights violations, violations of International Humanitarian Law and crimes versus the people that they may have committed in the course of their participation in the counterrevolutionary Oplan Bayanihan and as elements of the reactionary armed force.

 “The NPA custodial force will continue to take active defensive stance to protect its troops while ensuring the safety of its captives.”

http://www.mindanaotimes.net/military-to-file-complaint-vs-rebels-who-abducted-soldiers/