The Philippine Army (PA) said that its Board of Inquiry
(BOI) found no substantial evidence to indicate that its forces took part in
the atrocity that resulted in the death of three civilians and destruction of a
cooperative store in Lianga, Surigao del Sur last Sept. 1.
This was stressed by 4th Infantry Division commander Major
Gen. Oscar T. Lactao on Saturday. The unit is based in Cagayan de Oro City.
"The Army BOI tasked to review the killings of three
civilians and burning of a cooperative store in Sitio Han-ayan, Barangay
Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Sept. 1, 2015 led to the conclusion that
the incident in Sitio Han-ayan was a tribal conflict within the context of
insurgency -- that is, one tribal group affiliated with the New People’s Army
(NPA) while the other is an anti-NPA tribal group," he said.
He added that the BOI did not find any direct or indirect
link that would connect the involvement of the military to the killings which
were all attributed to the Magahat Bagani Force.
“Magahat Force has been known as anti-communist and as such,
it is perceived to be closely associated with the government or military,”
Lactao stressed.
“I would like to emphasize that it is the policy of this
Command not to condone any illegal armed groups,” he added.
Lactao also directed 402nd Infantry Brigade commander Col.
Isidro L. Purisima to conduct law enforcement operation to capture the
perpetrators, especially the identified suspects – Loloy Tejero, Bobby Tejero,
and Gareto Layno – to face justice and shed light in connection with the
incident.
The Army is also looking into the possible lapses of some of
its operating troops who could have made actions that could lead to the
immediate capture of the perpetrators.
On the issue of the alleged sexual molestation committed
against a Lumad minor in Davao
The report submitted by the 10th Infantry Division based in
Mawab, Davao del Norte recommended to charge individually the three soldiers
involved in the case in a general court martial for violation of the Article of
War 97 or conduct of a nature that brings discredit upon the military service.
The soldiers, whose names are withheld, denied the reports
against them but the other details of the case gave the Army’s investigating
body a prima facie case against the three soldiers for violation of AW 97.
“Even in the absence of a complainant, the Army has the
obligation to ensure that our soldiers act accordingly and decisively as
required by existing AFP laws, regulations, directives or policies,” 10th
Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Rafael C. Valencia said.
A court-martial was recommended for the three soldiers.
Since no formal complaint was submitted, the result of the
investigation was based on the information given by the Municipal Social
Welfare and Development Officer of Talaingod, Davao del Norte and the
affidavits submitted by the concerned personnel.
The company commander of the three soldiers was also
recommended for administrative sanction in violation of the policy of
"commander’s responsibility" of promptly initiating the conduct of
investigation to determine the administrative liability of personnel involved
and failure to inform his immediate superior.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=803568
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