DAVAO CITY – The Army's 10th Infantry Division on Thursday debunked accusations of the leftist groups that members of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) or a paramilitary group were behind the killing of a lumad student last September 5 in Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
In a press statement released by the Army’s 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Rhyan Batchar Thursday, the Army division based in Tuburan, Mawab, Compostela Valley Province reiterated its stand that the perpetrators were not members of the CAA or any paramilitary group sanctioned by the military.
Batchar said the 10th ID emphasized it only recognizes the police, CAA and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as the legitimate security forces while all others are considered illegal armed groups, if there are any.
“We shall wait for the investigations being undertaken by the police force which will eventually unmask and place in the bars of justice the real perpetrators of the killing of Bay-ao,” Batchar said.
Batchar assured that the 60th Infantry Battalion who takes operational control of CAAs deployed within its area is fully cooperating with the Talaingod PNP and Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO) who are conducting investigations on the said case.
As this developed, the 10th ID leadership urged the alleged victims to substantiate their accusations that military personnel, whether CAA or active military members were involved to allow them to answer in the courts of justice.
The 10th ID emphasized it does not condone any violation of Human Rights by any of the soldiers.
Likewise, if any case soldiers are found to have committed violations thereto, the victims are assured and the people they serve that the leadership shall take serious actions against violators of HR, administratively or criminally.
According to Karapatan human rights group, 19-year-old Bay-ao, a student of the lumad-run Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center (STTICLC), was killed by alleged members of a paramilitary group in Talaingod.
Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin, 10th ID assistant division commander, earlier debunked reports the killing of Bay-ao was perpetrated by the CAA.
Karapatan said the paramilitary groups and military troops continue to harass lumad communities in the hinterlands. Batchar said the 10th ID seriously took note of the allegations made by NDF-SMR (National Democratic Front – Southern Mindanao Region) allied organizations that a member of the CAA was involved in the death of Bay-ao.
Based on police reports, Batchar said five civilians who were onboard two motorcycles from Central Baugan, Brgy Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte were ambushed by 10 New People’s Army (NPA) members belonging to Guerilla Front 55 at the vicinity of Sitio Mambandulan, Brgy Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte at around 7:50 a.m., September 5.
A victim identified as Tikoy Manampao suffered gunshot wounds but was immediately brought to the nearest hospital for medication. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
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