10th ID denies strafing family
THE 10TH Infantry Division of the Philippine Army denies allegations of the progressive groups on their involvement in the strafing incident which killed a certain Carolina Arado and wounded four others in Mabini, Compostela Valley last week.
“The 10th Infantry Division takes serious offense on allegations by NDF allied organizations that the military was responsible on indiscriminately firing at Arado's residence in Kidaraan, Brgy Anitapan, Mabini, Compostela Valley Province,” the statement read.
The 10th ID stated that as per report from 46IB, the shooting incident at Arado Family residence happened at around 7:30 p.m., July 13 adding that unidentified gunmen fired at the house of Arado Family.
The perpetrators were said to have withdrew towards Sitio Post 4 of the said barangay.
Furthermore, the incident resulted to the death of Carolina Arado, 56 and wounded four other family members namely Charlito Arado, 59, husband of Carolina; Analisa Arado, 30, daughter-in-law of Carolina; and the two minors Arjun Arado, 12 and Junior, Arado, 8.
The statement added that the troops of 46IB responded first at the said incident, facilitated the giving of first aid to the wounded while providing assitance to the purok leader for the immediate evacuation of the victims to the hospital.
“We are strictly imple-
menting observance of Human Rights (HR) and the International Humanitarian Law (IHL ) and the rule of law. It is not part of our operations to target unarmed civilians. Our Community Support Program (CSP) has been very effective in assisting the LGU in delivering services to the populace and the people in Comval are well aware of the sincerity of the government and the AFP,” it read.
“We are saddened that the military was maliciously accused by NDF-allied organizations who are spreading propaganda to besmirch the good image of the military. Furthermore, we urge these NDF-allied organizations to instead file charges against our soldiers to the courts of justice. We assure them of our full cooperation on any investigations that shall be undertaken by duly instituted authorities as a way of ensuring professionalism in our ranks,” it added.