Military to probe killing of 5 soldiers in Negros

MANILA, Philippines - The Army is investigating the killing of five soldiers and wounding of two others during a shootout between Army troops and New People’s Army (NPA) gunmen in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental last Friday.

In a phone interview yesterday with The STAR, Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., Army 3rd Division commander, said a board of inquiry (BOI) has been formed to determine whether lapses have been committed.

“If there is a need for a more in-depth investigation, a court-martial may be convened,” he said.

Col. Francisco Delfin, the Army’s 3rd Division inspector general, will lead the BOI.

Mabanta said the entire Army 47th Infantry Battalion, which figured in the clash, will be subjected to an investigation.

Officers who had committed lapses may be relieved or face court-martial, he added.

Reports identified the slain soldiers as Cpl. Aljun Francisco; Privates First Class Charlie Magne Jomento, Jan Granzo, and Ramer Aguilardo; and Pvt. Benjie Tolog.

Wounded were Pfc. Romel Agustino and Cpl. Ovimar Latiza.

Two NPA rebels were also wounded during the shootout.

In Samar, Army troops killed two NPA rebels caught extorting “permit to campaign” and “permit to win fees” from candidates in Catbalogan City after a 15-minute shootout last Thursday.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, Army 8th Infantry Division spokesman based in Catbalogan City, said they are closely monitoring the NPA’s extortion activities.

“Every day, the 8ID received reports from the local assets and community folks that members of the New People’s Army have been roaming around asking money in the form of permit to campaign or permit to win fees,” he said.

“We first validate these reports and immediately send troops to the area.”

Troops recovered from the scene two assault rifles and explosives, Gutierrez said.

The Army seized documents showing that the National Democratic Front has instructed the NPA in Eastern Visayas to collect “permit to win” and “permit to campaign” fees from local candidates.

However, Fr. Santiago Salas, NDF Eastern Visayas spokesman, denied the allegations.

In Agusan del Sur, troops from the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion and Special Action Force policemen engaged 10 NPA rebels in a shootout at about 12:18 p.m. Friday.

On Saturday, 50 NPA rebels attacked a patrol base of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit in a remote barangay in Agusan del Norte.

Lt. Col. Potenciano Camba, Army 3rd Special Forces Battalion commander, said the well-entrenched militiamen fought back and repulsed the attackers.

“Our base defenders were prepared and well-entrenched and we have sent the reinforcement on time, that’s why the attack was unsuccessful,” he said.

Camba said pursuing troops recovered arms, landmines and other personal belongings that the fleeing rebels left at the scene.

The attack was the second failed attempt to capture the patrol base, he added.

United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial Jack Enrile said the NPA is able to exploit the misery of the masses due to poverty and hunger.

“The communist dream prevails among the deprived sectors of our people because of hunger,” he said. “Erase that hunger, and give the people a real hope for a better future, and the communist dream will fade away.

“Our people want freedom, and only in freedom will they have abundance. But if there is no abundance but only hunger, it is the democratic dream that will weaken.

“I have my own humble dream and that dream is for our people to have enough food on the table, a decent home to live in, and to have a good education for their children.”

Enrile proposed a determined nationwide effort for all-out food production for the people to realize food security and food sovereignty.

“This will eliminate hunger and undernourishment, avoid food importation and enable the use of the money used to subsidize foreign farmers for local economic development and more job creation,” he said.

- Alexis Romero, Red Bautista, Ben Serrano, Paolo Romero