AFP ready to file raps vs soldiers in botanist's death

MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday expressed readiness to file charges against soldiers who committed errors that led to the death of a top botanist in Leyte last month.

“We are presently investigating the incident with the possibility of filing administrative charges,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said in a phone interview.

Mabanta said they are willing to cooperate with groups which will file criminal charges against their troops. He gave assurances that they would not tolerate the misdeeds of soldiers found guilty of misdeeds.

“We believe the most important thing is to know the truth. If they (complainants) have something to say, then they have to present evidence so these will hold water in court,” Mabanta said.

Mabanta was asked to react to the findings of Agham, a team of scientists who claimed that there was no crossfire when botanist Leonardo Co and his two companions were slain in Leyte last Nov. 15.

Co, his local guide Julius Borromeo, and forest guard Sofronio Cortez were killed as they were gathering seedlings in a forest in Kanangga, Leyte.

The military claimed the three were killed in crossfire between soldiers of the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion and communist rebels.

Some sectors, however, suspect that the three were shot after soldiers mistook them for members of the New People’s Army.

Agham said evidence gathered at the site showed that the gunshots came from one direction and that was from the vantage point of where the government troops were positioned.

“The only consistent explanation for these key observations would be that the military was positioned on top of the ridge and firing toward Leonardo Co and company. There was no indication of any crossfire,” Agham chairman Giovanni Tapang said last Wednesday.

Agham’s conclusions contradicted the initial findings of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, which said the rebels scampered toward the location of Co and his companions during the clash.

AFP Central Command spokesman Maj. Christopher Tampos said their soldiers are ready to answer all the allegations against them.

“If the soldiers involved in the operation are accountable, then we will abide by the results of the investigation. If it is necessary to file cases against our soldiers, then our troops are ready to answer the charges,” he said.

Tampos claimed they have evidence that would prove that there was firefight when Co and his companions were killed.