"Massacre of Kananga 3": Army official, 25 others face obstruction of justice charge

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — Twenty six soldiers, including an official, of the 19th Infantry Battalion based at Brgy. Aguiting in Kananga, Leyte, were charged by the Department of Justice for obstruction of justice in relation to the death of botanist Leonard Co and two others more than two years ago.

The accused soldiers are: 2nd Lt. Cameron Perez, Corporals Henrich Montecalvo and Jesus Verona, and PFCs Noelito Eblamo, Ramelito Caayon, Julito Bucog, Enrique Barbarona, Elmer Tapac, Arvie Divinagracia, Jose Madrilejos, Leonard Regis, Richard Salandino, Apollo Elnar, Esperidion Java Jr, Cornilio Coso, Ricardo Liguidliguid, Edjun Omawas, Modesto Camero Jr, Elmer Costelo, Carlo Romero, Godofredo Capatoy III, Andro Villanueva, Arnel Superales, Ramil Maguilano, Edyson Ferenal, Bob Alipoon and Enrico Malog.

The information or charging document against the soldiers, received at the Office of the Clerk of Court here last Friday (July 12), was filed by assistant state prosecutor George Yarte, Jr. and dated December 20, 2012.

Yarte said the case was filed against the soldiers for allegedly hindering the immediate arrests of 1st Lt. Ronald Odchimar, Cpl. Marlon Mores, and PFCs Albert Belmonte, William Bulic, Elmer Forteza, Alex Apostol, Roger Fabillar, Michael Babon and Gil Guierey-members of the troops that allegedly got into an encounter with armed men resulting to the death of Co and two other civilians.

The 26 were "harboring or concealing, or facilitating the escape of their colleagues or have reasonable ground to believe or suspect that their colleagues have committed the crime of indiscriminately firing their service firearms" upon the three, the information said.

Clerk of Court Pamela Oliver said the case has yet to be raffled off for which judge it would be heard. She also confirmed reports that some accused already went to the office, wanting to post bail for their temporary liberty. The recommended bail is P 12,000 each.

The incident, now dubbed the "Massacre of the Kananga 3" by progressive groups, happened on November 15, 2010 when Co, a botanist commissioned by the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) to conduct a biodiversity study at the geothermal reservation, was killed in an alleged crossfire between 19th IB troopers and an armed group, presumably the New People's Army.

Two others, forester Sofronio Cortez of the EDC and farmer Julius Borromeo, also died, while two others, Roniño Gibe and farmer-guide Policarpio Balute, survived.

Balute later told the media there was no crossfire because the spray of bullets all came from one direction and it stopped after Gibe screamed and raised his hand in surrender. The two then ran to the road, some 100 meters away, where they were rescued by EDC paramedics.

The 19th IB was at the time under the command of Lt. Col. Federico Tutaan who was new to the post. The murder raps subsequently filed against Tutaan and his men were reportedly dropped by the DOJ already, raising criticisms of a "whitewash." (FREEMAN)