Army files murder raps vs 8 “rebels”

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The military has filed charges for double murder and multiple frustrated murder against eight suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members, who were arrested at an encounter site in Isabela town, Negros Occidental last week.

Inspector Jason Manguilimutan of the Isabela Police said the suspects—Joel Dadlis, Christopher Dadlis, Randy Tubigon, Dimas Lindayao, Abraham Lindayao, Roman Lindayao, Randy Lindayao, and Wilhem Lindayao—were charged before the Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor’s Office last Monday.

The eight were among the 19 persons arrested last Friday after a 45-minute gunbattle between the military and the rebels at sitio Mahopaho in Brgy. San Agustin of Isabela town, where two soldiers died and four others got wounded, according to Col. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander.

The encounter killed PFCs Dennis Acosta and Oliver Grecia and injured 1st Lt. Shamon Pamittan, Sgt. Romeo Castellano, PFCs Nesty Deniega and Justino Esquibel, all assigned at the Alpha Company of the 11th Infantry Battalion, the military said.

Of the 19 suspects, 11 were released from jail on the same day, after the police found they were not involved in that armed encounter.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) however dismissed the criminal complaints against the eight suspects as “trumped-up” charges.

KMP spokesman Antonio Flores, in a statement, claimed that the 19 farmers, belonging to the Bukidnon tribe in Negros Occidental, were illegally arrested by the military. “It was a desperate and cowardly retaliation against farmers and civilians by the military after suffering a shameful defeat in battle,” he said.

Two of the suspects—Dimas and Abraham Lindayao— however, admitted in an interview with ABS-CBN, that they were members of the NPA. The other detained suspects claimed they were deceived by the military, who had reportedly requested them to carry their injured companions and personal belongings, before being locked up at the Isabela Police jail.

Colonel Oscar Lactao, 303rd IBde commander, warned members of the tribal group that they are being targeted for recruitment by the NPA, because “they are very trusting people” and could easily be duped. “Once the NPA gets their sympathy, they will be recruited to join the armed struggle and issued firearms,” he said.

KMP secretary general Greg Ratin, for his part, called for the immediate release of the eight farmers, whose detention he described as illegal and arbitrary, and for the military to vacate Brgy. San Agustin.

Karapatan-Negros secretary general Fred Cana alleged the military committed human rights violations, by arresting civilians they were supposed to protect.  (FREEMAN)