THE military has not initiated a formal investigation into allegations of harassment of residents by soldiers in Sitio Camansi, Barangay Banlay in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental. Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said this as he dodged questions about the alleged abuses committed in Camansi that forced villagers to evacuate to the capitol grounds last month. Lactao said a tripartite multi-sectoral ocular inspection was conducted by a human rights group, local officials, media and other stakeholders. “It’s much better if you direct your questions to the fact-finding investigation team,” Lactao told reporters at Camp Evangelista on Monday. A village leader, Sarisa Acosta, earlier cried foul over the alleged harassments and identified Pfc. Fermin Landanay as one of the soldiers who allegedly intimidated villagers. Roughly 250 residents of Camansi had evacuated and sought refuge at the Misamis Oriental capitol grounds here last month because they were allegedly harassed by soldiers. They claimed they were accused of being members of the New People’s Army (NPA). Soldiers subsequently pulled out from the village, and the villagers returned to their homes. But according to Col. Jessie Alvarez, commander of the Army’s 403rd Brigade, the allegations were all baseless. Alvarez said soldiers went there to conduct clearing operations in preparation for a government project and “no harassment ever took place.” -nitz arancon