ARMY’S 4th Infantry Division (4ID) commander Maj General Romeo Brawner, Jr., has maintained that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is respecting the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) even during armed conflict.
“The AFP respects international humanitarian law,” said Brawner in a news conference in Cagayan de Oro City, Monday.
He even said “is not in the business of ambushing unarmed combatants,” especially if they are riding on a motorcycle.
A day after Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos' demise, Brawner said they have received a letter from the National Democratic Front-Northeast Mindanao spokesperson Maria Malaya, Ka Oris wife claiming that Madlos and his companion were ambushed and killed while onboard a motorcycle on their way to the national highway.
Malaya claimed that there was no exchange of gunfire because Ka Oris was unarmed when he left the area for his regular medical checkup and treatment.
“The New People’s Army rebels are the ones who ambush people on bike,” according to Brawner.
He added Kieth Absalon was riding a bike, with his uncle, when they were ambushed by the NPA using landmines.
Brawner reiterated that Madlos was killed when communist rebels clashed with soldiers from the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion, the 1st Special Forces Battalion, and a Scout Ranger company in Sitio Gabunan, Barangay Dumalaguing, Impasug-ong town in Bukidnon, on Friday, October 29.
He said soldiers found the bodies of Madlos and his medical aide, Mavic Dela Peña at a forested area in Sitio Gabunan at around 11:30 am on Saturday, October 30.
Like Brawner, 403rd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Barandon also said that Madlos and Dela Peña were killed in a firefight.
Barandon said the gun battle with about 30 communist fighters lasted for 30 minutes.
"Being at the top leadership of the NPA, he is protected 24/7 by more or less 40 NPAs,” said Barandon.
He said that it is unlikely Madlos will move without these armed elements as claimed by the NPA. (Ben Balce)
