78th IB head bans militants from camp

CEBU — The commander of the Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion has declared that he will shoot members of militant groups if they dare enter his camp.

Lt. Col. Jonas Sumagaysay also banned members of militant groups like Bayan and its affiliates, including the human rights group Karapatan, from entering the 78th IB camp, saying these people are their enemies.

"I don’t allow these Bayan and Karapatan groups to enter our camp because they are our enemies," he said.

When asked about possible violations of the Constitution because military camps are considered public offices, Sumagaysay was quick to say "not at all times."

He said even if military camps are considered public offices, military officials have all the right to ban people who they consider a threat to their security.

But Bayan-Central Visayas chairman Paul Rodriguez described Sumagaysay’s move as unbecoming.

"Nag-martial law siya (Has he imposed martial law)?" he asked.

He said Sumagaysay’s statement that he considers human rights group Karapatan as an enemy is an admission that he is a human rights violator.

Rodriguez challenged Sumagaysay to file a case against them if he believes that they are members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

Moreover, Rodriguez said his group is planning to visit the military camp to check the condition of six suspected NPA rebels arrested by Sumagaysay’s men following the Aug. 15 ambush of members of the Regional Mobile Group in Barangay Pansoy, Sogod town.

They also accused the military of torturing those arrested to force them to admit that they are NPA members.

Sumagaysay said he has to ban the militant groups because the NPA is using them in its propaganda activities.

Fr. Calvin Bugho, Karapatan national chairman, also condemned Sumagaysay’s pronouncement, saying the military cannot prevent them from entering its camps.

He threatened to file a case against Sumagaysay because of his pronouncement. — Freeman News Service