By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) is open to any investigation into the encounter at Barangay Tabugon in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City that claimed the lives of six alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members last week.
In a statement, the 3ID said they stand firm that the incident was a legitimate encounter, and dismissed the claims of human rights violation.
“We are open, and we welcome any inquiry to this effect by any independent party, as the result of the investigation will eventually clear and vindicate us from various allegations of human rights violations,” the 3ID said in a statement.
Circulating reports questioned the encounter with the 47th Infantry Battalion against an alleged NPA squad in the village’s Sitio Lubi on September 21.
The 3ID emphasized that in the conduct of combat operations, their troops strictly followed the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Rules of Engagements at all times.
The soldiers are “reminded to always observe and abide by the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law and the Rule of Law.”
“Every soldier understood that transgressions and departure from these directives are dealt with severely,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, 3ID commander, Major General Marion Sison, said the public should be more discerning about narratives, as these are mere propaganda to discredit the government’s security forces and to ignite ire against the government.
“We should not simply accept and believe their messaging hook, line and sinker. We appeal to the public to exercise discretion towards this end,” Sison said.
“[We will] remain true and committed in our mission to uphold the freedom, protect the human rights and secure the people in our area of responsibility,” he added.
Earlier this week, Vincent Parra, Commission on Human Rights in Negros Occidental officer-in-charge, said they will proceed to Kabankalan on Thursday, September 28 to conduct an investigation into the encounter.
“There is a claim that the six were ambushed. We have to validate it. All these are still allegations,” Parra said.
The wife of Ruben Gaitan, a tricycle driver killed in the encounter, claimed that he was not a member of the NPA, and a report from the coroner revealed that one alleged rebel was five months pregnant.
Lt. Colonel J-jay Javines, 3ID spokesperson, said the alleged NPA group was linked to several atrocities in southern Negros Occidental, including ambush incidents in Sipalay City in the last two years.
They are also responsible for the murders of Pastor Lonie Lahaolahao in February 2020 in Sipalay, and Silas Granada in March 2022 in Ilog town, the 3ID said./With reports from PNA / DGB, WDJ