CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – Reports are circulating questioning the legitimacy of the encounter of 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB) against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) at So. Lubi, Brgy. Tabugon, Kabankalan City, on September 21, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of six (6) members of their group, citing, among others, that they were considered hors de combat, hence the call for an investigation.
“We are confident, and we firmly believe that the said encounter was a legitimate one. Thus, we are open, and we welcome any inquiry to this effect by any independent party, as the result of the investigation will eventually clear and vindicate us from various allegations of human rights violations whatsoever. It should be emphasized that in the conduct of combat operations, your soldiers strictly follow the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Rules of Engagements (ROE) at all time,” the military said.
“They are likewise reminded to always observe and abide by the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Rule of Law. Every soldier understood that transgressions and departure from these directives are dealt with severely. On the contrary, those who died in the said encounter were top Cadres of the CTG. Their long record of notoriety is well-known in Southern Negros or commonly known as the CHICKS (Candoni, Hinobaan, Ilog, Cauayan, Kabankalan, and Sipalay) area,” MGen Marion R Sison, Commander of 3ID said.
Sison said the group perpetrated several atrocities in CHICKS area, including the killing of Pastor Lonie Lahaolahao in Brgy Camindangan, Sipalay City in February 2020; ambush of two (2) Army personnel in Brgy Yaoyao, Cauayan in April 2021; ambush of two (2) Army personnel in Brgy Camindangan, Sipalay City in November 2022; burning of construction equipment in Brgy Orong Kabankalan City and Brgy Camindangan, Sipalay City both in March 2022.
The same group, he said, was also responsible for killing Silas Granada, 65 years old, a resident of Brgy Pingot, Ilog, in January 2023 by shooting the victim point blank in the head several times. It was also reported that the group killed Granada’s father over a land dispute.
Sison shared that the greater public should be more discerning about the CTG’s narratives, as these are mere propaganda designed to discredit our security forces and purposely crafted to ignite the ire of the populace against the government.
“We should not simply accept and believe their messaging hook, line and sinker. We appeal to the public to exercise discretion towards this end. Rest assured that your 3ID Spearhead Troopers shall remain true and committed in our mission to uphold the freedom, protect the human rights and secure the people in our Area of Responsibility,” MGen Sison concluded.
