New cases of forced and fake surrenderees in Mindanao and death of a child due as a result of military operations were recently documented by an International Fact-Finding and Solidarity Mission (IFFSM) and the Commission on Human Rights.
“These cases are very alarming especially that it involved children,” Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, one of the Mission delegates said.
She added that “(N)ot only are they illegally being recorded and posed as NPA rebels, some are tortured and are turned into guides to locate alleged rebel camps.”
She said they recorded three new cases including that of an 18-year-old victim.
“The victims were apprehended by the 88th Infantry Battalion in a checkpoint for carrying a camouflaged hammock. They said that they bought it from a Cafgu for P1,000 but they were accused of being NPA members,” said Brosas.
“The victims were interrogated by the military in civilian clothing while kicking and punching them in the neck, back, and other parts of their body. The military even threatened to stab them with a knife. As if the barbarity was not enough, the military covered their heads with plastic bags and was dunked in a drum of water. And these horrors happened repeatedly for days,” Brosas added.
She also cited the infant killings in Kalamansig town, Sultan Kudarat and in Liangga, Surigao del Sur.
She said two-year old Joshua Gantangan in Lianga suffered from trauma and stress due to the intense militarisation in the area.
“The atrocities and savagery of the state and its forces know no age,” Brosas said. (davaotoday.com)
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