Army responds to CPDF/NPA statements on Bontoc ambush

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

(Capt. Adonis B. Banez, 501st Brigade information officer (CAV) Philippine Army responds to statement of Cordillera Peoples Democratic Front and the New People’s Army on Bontoc ambush.)

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The military would like to once and for all deny and correct the misinformation and factual lies made by the Cordillera Peoples Democratic Front’s spokesperson, Simon Naogsan point by point. The truth on the matter is that the soldiers are deployed in Mt Province as peacekeeping forces tasked mainly to help and support the local governments in the implementation of peace and development programs while combat operations are conducted to go after the armed local/communist terrorists.

Your soldiers as peacekeepers are there to assist the barangay residents in community organizing in order to identify and help in resolving the issues and concerns that need government attention while they converge and collaborate with concerned agencies. Part of their activities while immersed in the community is facilitate the conduct of medical and dental civic action missions by free medical and dental check-ups and consultations, and giving of free medicines.

Among these activities were the scheduled MEDCAP last July 10 at Poblacion, Bontoc, Mt Province and the subsequent same activity in Poblacion, Sadanga but all came to naught due to the ambush of the soldiers tasked to facilitate the activity. All these activities were not pushed through for the reason that we gave priority to the safety of our people and the participating LGAs, NGOs and several volunteers. In fact, this merciless and barbaric act perpetrated by the NPA was condemned by the residents and Municipal Council of Bontoc through a municipal resolution passed and approved by the august body.

The military wants to assert and confirm that the soldiers, two of them from Kalinga and who once again offered their lives just to attain the elusive peace in the province have been inhumanely killed by the local terrorists/NPA which in essence does not conform to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

The military’s reinforcing troops arrived and engaged the retreating local terrorists and found the dead soldiers without upper clothing, boots and some of their personal belongings nowhere to be found. All these were carted away by the retreating local terrorists/NPAs. As we retrieved the body of the dead soldiers together with the medical personnel from Mountain Province Provincial Hospital, we found out that excessive gunshot wounds were mainly fired point-blank to their heads.

The local terrorists never spared the lives of the already wounded soldiers by finishing them off with gunshots on the soldiers’ heads. This proves that the NPA
never adhered to the agreement which they are signatory. The military wrote the Commission on Human Rights in the Cordillera Region to investigate the ambush incident to find the factual truth.

On the issue of handover of primary responsibility of the Internal Security Operations to the Local Chief Executive/LGU, we regret to inform Mr Naogsan that he has little knowledge on the matter and that he might have been misled by his men. The truth of the matter is that the intent of the handover of the primary responsibility of the Internal Security Operations (ISO) to the LCEs of every province or municipality is more to empower them and to possess more authority in implementing their respective peace and order plans and programs with the military and police assuming the supportive role.

This in essence is the principle of civilian supremacy over the military and is further strengthened. Where is the violation of the principle of civilian supremacy as alleged by Mr Naogsan? In fact, the military will be transparent on the contents of the Memorandum of Agreement and similarly, the MOA is submitted to the LCEs for thier scrutiny and further deliberation by their legislative bodies/councils prior finalization, signing, and implementation.

With the process, we can be assured that no higher laws can be violated. This is a proof that Mr Naogsan is wrong in his allegations and what he said are just propaganda and pure lies. On the MOA, there was no mention whatsoever on matters of expenses in maintaining the CAFGU. The CAFGU management will still be under the administrative and operational control of the AFP. This again proves Mr Naogsan is wrong. The MOA only stipulates for a partnership and convergence in strengthening the Internal Security Operation in respective provinces.

On the issue raised by Mr Naogsan implicating the 69th IB then under Maj. Gen Gomez in a shooting in 1999 during the raging Dalican-Pidilisan tribal conflict is all baseless and unfounded. In fact, the 69th IB left Mt Province and redeployed to other province in December 1997 and they never came back again in Mt Province until now. Again, Mr Naogsan is wrong.

As we continuously perform our task to bring genuine peace and development in Mt Province, we are asking the good people of Mt Province to inform and report to us of any wrongdoings of our soldiers such as violation of human rights, pertinent laws, and abuses, and rest assured that we will immediately act on it and will not remained unpunished.

Your Armed Forces never condone nor tolerate misdemeanor committed by military. While the NPAs are rampantly violating human rights, illegal recruitment/exploitation of minors, burning of private contractors trucks and heavy equipment, and extortion activities to businessmen and residents, your AFP shall continue to respect and protect the lives and properties of every individual which we took oath to perform towards attaining the elusive peace in the province. We will not leave you and your province until such time, peace has reigned in the whole province. We will continue to be your partner for peace and development.