By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
MILITARY and police officials yesterday maintained that the five people who were killed by soldiers in Sitio Mando, Barangay Mendis, Pangantucan town in Bukidnon in Aug. 18 were rebels, and they died during a “legitimate encounter” between government and New People’s Army (NPA).
Col. Jessie Alvarez, commander of the Army’s 403rd Brigade, told a news conference at the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) that no “massacre” took place contrary to allegations made by human rights advocates.
He identified the dead as Herminio Samia, 70, and his son Joebert, 20, Emir Somina, 19, and two minors––13-year old Norman Samia and 17-year old Elmer Samia. All were residents of Sitio Mando, Barangay Mendis in Pangantucan town. Alvarez said scientific evidence was on the side of the military, citing findings of the police’s Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco).
Soco regional assistant director Supt. April Madrozo said the dead men and teenagers tested positive for nitrate––meaning, they fired guns.
The military however claimed to have found only one AK-47 rifle in the area where the group was killed. Lt. Col. Nasser Lidasan, commander of the 1st Special Battalion, explained that fleeing rebels took most of the firearms of their fallen comrades.
“Gidala pag-ikyas sa ilang mga kauban ang pusil sa mga namatay kay ang ilang training sa mga NPA, mas maayo pag ilang biya-an ang patay nila nga kauban, kay sa ilang biya-an ang ilang mga armas,” said Lidasan.
The military claimed to hav also found NPA documents, supply of medicine, and backpacks, among others. Lidasan said the rebels whom the soldiers encountered in the area in Aug. 18 were residents of Barangay Mendis under the NPA’s Guerrilla Front Committee 68 led by one Lesis Micabalo a.k.a. “Commander Bagwis.”
He said soldiers clashed with the same group Libona, Bukidnon, in May 5. The military faced reporters yesterday in response to accusations made by former Mendis barangay councilor Erio Inahan, Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights spokesperson Fr. Christopher Ablon, and Kalumbay chairman Jomorito Goaynon that soldiers “massacred innicent farmers” on mere suspicion that they were NPA members.
Lt. Col. Lenon Babilonia, commander of the 8th Infantry Battalion, said the fierce Aug. 18 encounter lasted for over an hour some three kilometers from the barangay proper.
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