Army airs side on killing inside a Kalinga hospital

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

In the interest of fair play, we are printing hereunder a response of the 21^st Infantry Battalion, 5the Infantry Division, Philippine Army sent by Capt. Jerome C. Yee, CMO officer and Lt. Col. Felix A. Benitez, commanding officer of CSC PA disputing allegations of the Lejo Cawilan Command of the New People’s Army on incidents which led to the killing of a Kalinga resident inside a hospital allegedly by military men. The LCC-NPA statement was printed in this corner last week.  Hereunder is the military statement entitled “Truth about Lubuagan, Kalinga incident”:   

On the evening of Jan. 31, 2013, 18 members of the 21ST Infantry (Invincible) Battalion on board two K450 left Battalion headquarters  purposely to render vigil to the late PFC Banatao Baydon a member of this unit who died of natural causes on Jan. 30 2013 in Bugnay, Tinglayan, Kalinga.

 At around 9:30 p.m., while the two military vehicles were traversing the highway between the municipality of Lubuagan and Tinglayan, both of Kalinga, the second vehicle was accidentally bumped by a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction driven by Abe PaclayTiggangay with back rider Edwin Gullay Daligdig, both natives of Butbut, Tinglayan, Kalinga and residents of Anunang, Rizal, Kalinga.

Edwin GullayDaligdig incurred minor injury on his leg and was brought by the troops at Lubuagan District, Hospital for medical treatment. While at the hospital, the team leader Sgt. Sonny Silvestre reported to the Philippine National Police station of Lubuagan which is a stone’s throw from the hospital to have the accident recorded in the PNP logbook.  

When the PNP arrived at the hospital to investigate the traffic accident, he became suspicious of a big bag tied at the back of the motorcycle driven by Tiggangay and discovered 21 bricks of dried marijuana at 1 kilo each brick for a total of 21 kilos.

The PNP of Lubuagan asked the assistance of the 21st IB personnel to arrest the duo. At this juncture, Abe Paclay Tiggangay who sensed that he will be arrested   created a commotion inside the hospital that caused fear and panic to the nurses.

The commotion alerted the rest of the troops who were outside the hospital and instinctively occupied all exit points to cordon the area.  Pfc.Rheigngold Benedict L Gomez who positioned himself on the left exit gate of the hospital compound saw Tiggangay coming out of the hospital building.

Pfc Gomez immediately fired three warning shots in the air. Instead of heading the warning shot Tiggangay ran inside the old doctors’ quarters. Pfc Gomez chased the suspect and entered the quarters in pursuit. Pfc Gomez was jumped from behind by Tiggangay who hid behind a divider.

A scuffle ensued, Pfc Gomez was able to kick the suspect and fired a single shot aimed at the lower extremities to immobilize the suspect the shot hit the suspect at the leg, however the bullet ricochet and hit the assailant’s bladder which caused his death while being treated at the same hospital.

The details of the incident describe above clearly shows how the LejoCawilan Command of the New Peoples Army is again trying to distort the facts in order to mislead those who have no knowledge of what really transpired. Clearly, another of their propaganda to discredit  the AFP and the government.

There was no operation nor medical mission as alleged by the NPA of troops heading for Bugnay, Tinglayan. They were going there to render traditional military vigil to one of its comrades who by the way is a member of the Butbot Tribe.

 Also there were only 18 personnel, 9 as escorts of the vehicles and 9 to render vigil honor and not 2 platoons or 54 persons as they alleged.

The vehicular accident could have been the fault of either the motorcycle driver or the KM 450 driver which was why the Army invited the PNP for an investigation.       What is important is that the soldiers did not renege on their responsibility of taking the injured motorcycle rider to the hospital for medical treatment.

Pfc Gomez was only responding to the situation and he observed all the rules of engagement (ROE) stipulated in said incident that is firing warning shots and taking a shot at the lower extremities in order to immobilize the assailant and not to kill him.

It was only done in self defense as Tiggangay tried to take away his firearm. If there is an intent to kill on the part of Pfc Gomez, he could have taken a shot aimed at the center body which is more easier to hit than firing at the lower extremities.

The facts of the incident stipulated above was witnessed by the medical staff of the hospital, PNP Lubuagan and even soldiers who are also members of the Butbot Tribe who were part of the vigil guards.

Incidentally Edwin Gullay Daligdig, the back rider and accomplice of Abe Tiggangay who was being treated for injuries caused by the traffic accident is now facing criminal charges for illegal possession of 21 kilos of dried marijuana leaves and he is now detained at Kalinga Provincial Jail.

The elders of both Tribes the Butbot tribe which Tiggangay is a member and the Lubuagan Tribe to which Pfc Gomez is a member have already come to a  peaceful agreement on the incident. Lastly, we welcome any inquiry on the incident and we assure you of our full cooperation.

We would like also to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to you for giving us the chance to air our side on this propaganda by the NPA in the true spirit of responsible journalism.