Army welcomes probe on Kabankalan clash
BACOLOD City – The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) said that it is open to any investigation on the clash that killed six alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last week. The Army said that they welcome any inquiry to this effect by any

By Glazyl Y. Masculino
By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) said that it is open to any investigation on the clash that killed six alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last week.
The Army said that they welcome any inquiry to this effect by any independent party, as the result of the investigation will eventually clear them from various allegations of human rights violations.
Based on the report of the Army, killed in the clash were alleged members of Samahang Yunit Propaganda, Southwest Front (SWF)-Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS) led by Alejo Delos Reyes, alias “Peter/Bravo,” squad leader of Squad 2 of SYP Platoon 3, his wife Melissa Dela Pena, alias “Diane,” Bobby Pedro, alias “Recoy,” vice squad leader of Squad 3 in the same platoon, Mario Fajardo Mullon, alias “Reco/Goring,” medic of Squad 1 from the same platoon, Janice Flores, a medic, and Ruben Gaitan.
Military troopers of the 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) responded to a report on the alleged presence of armed persons at Purok Lubi, Barangay Tabugon when the clash broke out on September 21.
The Army said that in the conduct of combat operations, the soldiers are reminded to always observe and abide by the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Rule of Law.
“We are confident, and we firmly believe that the said encounter was a legitimate one,” the 3ID said in a statement.
The Army said that those who died in the said encounter were alleged top Cadres of the NPA. They earlier tagged the group as responsible for several atrocities in Southern Negros, particularly in CHICKS (Candoni, Hinobaan, Ilog, Cauayan, Kabankalan, and Sipalay) area.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the province said recently that it will conduct an independent probe pertaining to the said encounter.
The CHR said that the investigation will be conducted next week since one of the fatalities was later found to be five months pregnant based on her post-mortem examination, and the wife of Gaitan, claimed that he was not a member of the NPA.
Major General Marion Sison, 3ID commander, said the greater public should be more discerning about the NPA’s narratives, as they considered it as mere propaganda designed to discredit the security forces and to ignite the ire of the people against the government.
“We should not simply accept and believe their messaging hook, line and sinker,” Sison said in a statement, as he appealed to the public to exercise discretion towards this end.
He assured that the 3ID shall remain true and committed to its mission to uphold freedom, protect human rights, and secure the people in their area of responsibility.
For his part, Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda, in a statement, said that “people need peace now more than ever in the city and the province to face common problems and challenges.”
Each of us has a role in spreading peace, hope and unity in our society. Let us maximize this for the progress of our city and country, he added.
Article Information
Comments (0)
LEAVE A REPLY
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Related Articles
DENR pushes 2027 deadline for new Iloilo bulk water supply
A top official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Iloilo must have a new bulk water supply operational by 2027, warning that the city’s rapid urban growth will further increase water demand in the coming years. Carlos Primo David, DENR undersecretary for integrated environmental science and head of

Treñas-Chu slams MPIW over permit delay claims
Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu criticized Metro Pacific Iloilo Water on Thursday for what she described as the company’s failure to directly raise concerns about alleged delays in the processing of permits for its desalination plant project in Barangay Ingore, La Paz. “I would have appreciated it if MPIW had informed
