ILOILO City – The recent encounters in Calinog, Iloilo between the communist terrorist group (CTG) and the combined forces of the 12th, 61st and 82nd Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army were legitimate, according to the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division.
Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines, spokesperson for the 3ID, said they are fully committed to protect human rights and the recent clashes were legitimate.
“As much as possible we don’t want these things to happen, but we have no choice. Our troops need to defend themselves. We are giving them enough time to surrender and avail the government’s program,” Javines said.
Days following the aforementioned encounters, various cause-oriented groups flooded social media with statements and reports of allegations of foul play, delayed retrieval and release of the cadavers, intimidation and harassment of family members, among other malicious accusations aimed at maligning the soldiers and discrediting the result of the said operations.
“Our soldiers strictly abide with the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law and the Rule of Law. They conduct combat operations in accordance with the prescribed Rules of Engagement, otherwise they risk themselves being investigated by the military courts,” Javines said.
The 3ID spokesperson added: “Our soldiers made significant efforts to retrieve and transport the bodies of the NPA (New People’s Army) members who were abandoned by their comrades. Even with the inclement weather, helicopters were deployed to ensure that these dead bodies are retrieved the soonest time possible. The encounter sites are located in the boundaries and accessibility is very much challenging, but our soldiers undertook this difficult task to ensure the proper handling and sending of the deceased to their families.”
He said that the NPA routinely abandoned their dead and injured comrades, with no evidence of providing treatment or first aid to the wounded.
Javines further said the standard procedures following any encounter require thorough documentation and coordination with forensic experts to ensure proper identification and determination of the cause of death of combat casualties.
“We also refute allegations of intimidation during the body identification process. Our personnel conducted their duties professionally and respectfully towards the families involved. Our soldiers were there present purposely to assist the families and to offer help in whatever form necessary. Any insinuation of inappropriate behavior by our personnel is unfounded and contrary to the professional conduct we expect from our soldiers,” he added.
For his part, 3ID commander Major General Marion Sison said the army would not create discord and destroy what the 3ID have achieved, adding that efforts have been done to end local communist armed conflict and eventually declare a state of stable internal peace and security in Panay Island.
“We urged concerned groups and organizations to refrain from exploiting families’ grief for political gain, as this only adds to their anguish and detracts from the genuine mourning process. Families deserve the space to mourn their loved ones without being used as political pawns,” Sison said.
He said he is open for an investigation regarding the legitimacy of encounters and he assured full cooperation by providing all necessary reports and documents.
The 3ID further hopes that these investigations would uncover the truth and vindicate the soldiers.
“While we acknowledge the grief and pain of the families who lost their loved ones, it is essential to understand that the operations in question were conducted in the context of maintaining peace and security against armed insurgency. Your army in Western and Central Visayas remains fully committed and dedicated to protecting the rights of all individuals while fulfilling our duty to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and security,” Sison said./PN
