Philippine Army Denies Maltreatment Of Aetas In Zambales
PHILIPPINE ARMY – The 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army denies allegations that some members of the Aeta community were being maltreated.
According to GMA News, 7th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief Major Amado Gutierrez reported that an encounter occurred between his troops and suspected members of the New People’s Army in Sitio Lumibao, Barangay Buhawen.
The encounter ended in the arrest of some alleged rebels, which include some minors, as well as the death of one soldier.
“After po ng engkuwentro, mayroon po tayong na-intercept o naaresto na mga individuals na lumalabas mula doon sa encounter site. Siyam po sila. And then later on na-find out po natin na out of nine, lima po doon ay mga NPA. Tatlong lalaki at dalawang babae. ‘Yung isang babae po ay menor de edad… ‘Yun pong remaining na apat, tatlo po doon ay minor, aged five, ten and 12, at saka po ‘yung tumatayo nilang nanay, ito ring supporter ng NPA,”
Gutierrez strongly denied that the arrested were not being maltreated. This statement was followed after allegations from some leftist groups also said that the prisoners were forced to eat human waste.
Gutierrez added that the suspected NPAs were also taken to a doctor.
“Ito pong mga naaresto natin at na-rescue malapit sa encounter site, atin po silang inalagaan. At nang ibinababa po natin sila sa sentro ng San Marcelino, atin po silang ipinatingin sa doktor,”
“Actually nagko-conduct po kami ng investigation ngayon, at base sa result ng initial investigation, wala pong katotohanan ‘yung mga ibinibintang nila,”
Based on the report, meanwhile, Sandugo claimed that on that day, about 659 families evacuated due to repeated bombings of Aeta communities in Sitio Lumibao by the said army.
“Reports reveal that the 7th ID’s bombardment of the IP community is meant to drive away the Aetas and pave way for mining explorations of Dizon Copper-Silver Mines, Inc. The Aeta residents oppose this project because they know it will destroy the environment, as well as their ancestral lands,”
Gutierrez said that the Army never never tolerates maltreatment within and outside the organization, citing that the soldiers have respect for human rights, even for rebels.
However, Gutierrez said that if the soldiers indeed assaulted Aetas, they will be held liable.
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