54th IB denies role in shooting of human rights worker in Ifugao

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- The Philippine Army here denied role in shooting of a Chinese-American human rights advocate in front of his house in Lagawe town and urged the public to help resolve the case.

Brandon Lee, 37, a paralegal volunteer of the Ifugao Peasant Movement (IPM) was shot and seriously injured in front of his house in Lagawe on August 6 by a gunman.

Non government organizations and even the Cordillera People’s
Democratic Front had accused state forces of doing the assassination try on Lee.

They said before Lee’s shooting, state forces had accused members of the IPM and other progressive groups of being members of the Communist Party of the Philippines New People’s Army.

Progressive NGOs said they have been harassed by military forces over the years through “red-tagging” and other forms of harassment.    

Two recent murders of progressive group members have been blamed on state forces.

But according to Lt. Col. Narciso Nabulneg, Jr., 54th IB’s commanding officer, he was appealing to the public to give information to authorities that could lead to the immediate apprehension of the perpetrators soonest.

“We assure our full support to the ongoing investigation of the police. The officers and men of 54th IB condemn the shooting incident and inhumane act to Mr. Brandon Lee in the strongest term. We are looking forward for his fast recovery,” Nabulneg said.

Lee, through the IPM, is an active advocate for the advancement of the Ifugao farmers and their unit is one with them in this endeavor, according to Nabulneg.
 “We are on continuous talking engagements with them for partnership in our advocacy on human rights, environment and agricultural concerns as we are currently on caravan activities to deliver   government and non-government organization programs and services to the geographically isolated and distressed areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, Staff Sergeant Joel Campilis, 54th IB’s Civil Military Officer, through Radyo Kiphodan FM clarified report that prior to the shooting incident, soldiers from the 54IB made visits to the IPM Office.

He said soldiers were there for coordination and partnership.

Campilis said they gave a letter of thanks and appreciation to IPM officers for their efforts in facilitating the reunion of a captured New People’s Army member and his mother.

 “That was the start of the harmonious relationship between the 54thIB and Lee who willingly entertained government forces at the IPM office,” Campilis said. – With a PIA report.