Families claim torture in military clash, hit delayed release of bodies

The families of those killed in an alleged encounter between suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members and Philippine Army forces on August 8 are expressing deep concerns over possible foul play and torture.

The incident involved the 12th, 61st, and 82nd Infantry Battalions in Aglonok, Calinog, Iloilo.

Militant group Bayan Panay has condemned the military’s actions, particularly the delay in releasing four of the six bodies, including that of Benjamin Cortel, who was reportedly killed on August 5.

The group argued that these delays only heighten suspicions of torture and extrajudicial killings.

“The military pressured us to sign documents agreeing not to pursue legal action,” claimed one family member, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

This allegation of intimidation is seen by the families and Bayan Panay as an attempt to cover up potential acts of torture and execution.

Upon receiving the bodies, families observed severe injuries, especially on the victims’ chests, along with fractured arms and widespread bruising, suggesting that the victims endured extreme pain before their deaths.

Further compounding the families’ distress, military personnel allegedly visited their homes late on August 12, demanding immediate identification of the bodies.

The soldiers’ reported behavior—characterized by what the families described as “disrespectful smiles and jokes”—has further damaged trust.

The military’s unexplained delay in notifying the families of the identifications until late Saturday night, despite having already identified the bodies earlier that day, has added to suspicions of foul play.

Bayan Panay accused the military of attempting to control the narrative and suppress the truth.

The group welcomed the Commission on Human Rights’ decision to initiate an investigation and urged the families to cooperate fully to ensure justice is served.

The incident has raised serious questions about military conduct and human rights in the region, with calls for accountability and transparency growing louder.