Army officer may face trial for ‘mishandling’ incident where 3 Lumad leaders were killed –spokesman

From GMA News (Sep 14): Army officer may face trial for ‘mishandling’ incident where 3 Lumad leaders were killed –spokesman

An Army junior officer may face military trial for allegedly mishandling the incident in Lianga town in Surigao del Sur, where three Lumad (indigenous people) leaders, including a school head, were killed by a supposed paramilitary group.

According to Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao, the platoon leader in the area is set to face formal trial before a general court martial for violations in the Articles of War, namely conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman (96) and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline (97).

The officer, who allegedly did not follow an order to launch an offensive against the armed group harassing a Lumad community in Sitio Han-ayan in Barangay Diatagon, has been relieved from his post and is currently under the custody of the 68th Infantry Battalion.

"This is the main point of the case recommended by our field unit, which a court martial can properly determine whether the platoon leader made a mistake in his decision," Hao said without identifying the platoon leader involved.

Hao said the embattled officer's platoon was earlier asked by tribal leader Bae Gloria Campos Tumalon to leave the sitio as the community was observing the wake of her father. They, however, returned last September 1 after hearing that there was a commotion there.

Hao said some 250 meters from the sitio, the platoon heard gunshots at past 5 a.m. They then saw from higher ground that a building was burning, and that civilians were being "rounded up by armed men."

According to Hao, the platoon leader called the company commander, his immediate superior, about the situation. He was then ordered "to prepare to engage [the suspects] provided that civilians will not be harmed."

"The platoon leader said he cannot engage because of the presence of many civilians, including women and children," Hao said, adding the officer did not do as told.

When the platoon went to the scene at around 7 a.m. for clearing operations, the suspects had already fled, and residents had already left their homes.

The incident led to the deaths of Emerito Samarca, executive director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, and two other Lumad leaders identified as Dionel Campos and Datu Juvillo Sinzo.

The Army earlier claimed that the killings were a result of tribal conflict between one that was affiliated with the communist New People's Army rebels and another that was "anti-NPA."

The military issued the statement after provincial Gov. Johnny Pimentel and human rights group Karapatan said they helped organize the Magahat Bagani force, the paramilitary blamed for the killings.

Aside from the platoon leader, the company commander may also be reprimanded "for failure to give clear guidance and supervision" to the platoon, Hao said,

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/536864/news/nation/army-officer-may-face-trial-for-mishandling-incident-where-3-lumad-leaders-were-killed-spokesman