Army open to probe into Bohol encounter

The Philippine Army is open to any investigation amid allegations that the death of five suspected communist rebels in Bilar, Bohol last week was a massacre and not an encounter.

Col. Louie Demaala, Army public affairs office chief and spokesperson, said the Bohol encounter was a legitimate operation against the New People’s Army.

“This was a result of a legitimate operations covered with official reports and scene of the crime reports from the PNP,” Dema-ala clarified.

“Likewise, the Philippine Army is open to any investigation as we do not dignify the twisted narratives of the CTG (communist terrorist group) and their front organizations,” he said.

Dema-ala said army soldiers understand and uphold human rights and the International Humanitarian Law in the conduct of military operations.

“Each and every soldier strictly adheres to the standing rules of engagement to ensure the protection of the rights of our people,” he stressed.

To recall, five alleged NPA members, including the communist rebel group’s top leader in Bohol, were killed in an encounter with government on February 23.

One police officer was also killed in action while another was wounded in the early morning gunfight, which started at around 6:52 a.m. in Purok Dos Matinao, Brgy. Capagao, Bilar town.

Authorities identified the slain NPA leader as Domingo Jaspe Compoc, alias Silong, who was fighting alongside remnants of the NPA’s

Bohol Party Committee (BPC).

The others were identified as Parlito Segovia alias Aldrin; Marlon Omosura alias Darwin; Hannah Joy Cecista alias Maya; and a certain alias Juaning.

Compoc and the others allegedly shoot it out with the combined elements of Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) and the 47th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army that were conducting a “Joint Enhanced Military Police Operation” against the communist rebel group.

The gun battle also resulted in the death of Police Corporal Gilbert Amper, a member of the BPPO who suffered a gunshot in the head, and the wounding of Police Corporal Gerard Rollon, also of BPPO.

The government troops recovered from the slain NPA combatants at the site of the firefight an M653 assault rifle; an R4 assault rifle; an M-16 rifle; and three caliber .45 pistols.

Compoc has a P2.6million bounty over his head and was wanted for several cases, including rebellion, homicide, attempted homicide, multiple murder, frustrated murder, and robbery.

The armed confrontation happened after government forces launched an intelligencedriven anti-terrorism campaign and also implemented a search warrant against the five individuals. —