BACOLOD City – In response to last week’s clash in Barangay Tabugon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental which resulted in the deaths of six alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) has expressed its openness to any independent investigation.
In an official statement, the 3ID refuted allegations of human rights violations, asserting the legitimacy of the incident. The division emphasized its adherence to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Rules of Engagement, the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and the rule of law.
The Commission on Human Rights-Negros Occidental, led by officer-in-charge Vincent Parra, has announced plans to delve into the encounter’s specifics.
The wife of Ruben Gaitan, a tricycle driver who lost his life during the clash, said her husband was not affiliated with the NPA.
Also, an autopsy revealed that one of the female casualties was five months pregnant.
On the evening of Sept. 21, the 47th Infantry Battalion encountered an armed group in Sitio Lubi, Barangay Tabugon.
Major General Marion Sison, 3ID’s commander, said the casualties were senior members of the rebel movement.
“Their extensive criminal history is well-documented, especially in the southern Negros or CHICKS (Candoni, Hinobaan, Ilog, Cauayan, Kabankalan, and Sipalay) region,” Sison noted.
He also linked them to numerous violent acts in southern Negros Occidental, including ambushes in Sipalay City in 2021 and 2022 and the assassinations of Pastro Lonie Lahaolahao in Sipalay City in February 2020 and Silas Granada in Ilog town in March 2022. (With reports from Watchmen Daily Journal and Philippine News Agency)/PN
