Army denies dropping bombs in Cotabato village

KIDAPAWAN CITY – The military, based in Makilala, North Cotabato, is denying reports that bombs were dropped in a rebel-influenced barangay, on Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Rhodjun Rosales, commanding officer of the 39th Infantry Battalion, said the attack helicopter that residents saw in Barangay Batasan in Makilala did not drop a single bomb when it hovered in the area around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Rosales said the MG520 attack helicopter only monitored the movement of an armed group led by a certain Gregorio Magbanua, also known as Kumander Greg, of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) Front Guerilla 51.

He accused Ka Greg’s group of extorting money from farmers and residents in the area.

Rosales said that as early as 3 a.m., Tuesday, he sent troops at Purok-6, Barangay Batasan to run after the rebels but were attacked before they could reach the area.

“Pinuntahan ng ating tropa ang erya kung saan na-monitor ang grupo ni Ka Greg. E, kaso, pinaputukan nila tayo. Madilim pa, at that time, kaya nag-request tayo ng helicopter,” said Rosales in an interview over Catholic-ran DXND.

The Army headquarters in Davao City sent the helicopter to drive the rebels away, and keep an eye on their movement while converging in the hinterlands, according to the official.

Eldy Pangilinan, a tribal leader in Barangay Batasan, said they heard loud explosions and hinted it was the helicopter that dropped the bombs.

“Our sleep was disturbed by these loud blasts. We thought there were heavy encounters on the ground but there was none. What we heard were explosions not gun fires,” said Pangilinan and added, “We appeal to the Army and government not to bomb our barangay. I pity our civilians.”