Army denies 'inhumane treatment' of Aetas in Zambales
SAN MARCELINO, Zambales – The Army's 7th Infantry Division (7ID) has denied the accusations of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army's (CPP-NPA) front organizations on the alleged bombing of an indigenous people’s community in Sitio Lumibao here.
Maj. Amado Gutierrez, chief of the 7ID Public Affairs Office, said based on their investigation, the claims of front organizations of bombing, feeding of feces, illegal detention and physical assault done on the Aetas were all lies.
Gutierez said five NPA Aetas, including one minor, who mixed themselves with rescued individuals, were captured by the troops of the 703rd Brigade.
“We did not bomb any IP community but only the enemy’s position in accordance with our standard operating procedures. The CPP-NPA's front organization must realize that it is the presence of the NPA bandits in the community that causes fear due to their massive exploitation and atrocities and not the law enforcement authorities who are ensuring the safety of the people,” he said.
Indigenous People's group Sandugo, in a statement, said soldiers from 7ID bombed an Aeta community to drive away the IPs and pave the way for mining explorations of Dizon Copper-Silver Mines Inc. in the area.
Sandugo said the Aeta residents have been opposing the project “because they know it will destroy the environment, as well as their ancestral lands.”
“Subsequently, incidents of torture by soldiers of 7ID, including a case of forcible feeding of human manure to an Aeta, were reported. Witi Ramos, Jepoy Ramos, and Nalin Ramos were physically assaulted, tortured, and detained by the soldiers,” the group said.
“After being hospitalized, they were too afraid to go home due to trauma. They chose to stay at the evacuation center in Barangay Aglao,” the group added.
However, the Army said the Aetas were given medical evaluation by Dr. Nida Pabunan, the municipal health officer of San Marcelino, upon their capture and were declared to be in good health.
A statement of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-San Marcelino Service Chapter led by Randy Bernales said its investigation in the community disclosed that no house was destroyed and no one was hurt among the IP members.
The allegations of maltreatment came from the captured NPAs and that no witnesses corroborated the communist group's allegations, the statement read.
Tribe leader Marcelo Galado, in a video statement, said: “Ako si Mr. Marcelino Galado, chieftain ng Sitio Lomibao, Barangay Buhawen, San Marcelino personal na nagsasabing walang nabombahang mga bahay ng mga residente doon at ang kuta lang ng mga rebelde (I am Mr. Macelino Galado, chieftain of Sitio Lomibao, San Marcelino, personally saying that no houses owned by the Aetas were bombed but only the hideouts of the NPAs)".
An armed encounter occurred between troops of the 703rd Brigade and the NPA rebels in Sitio Lomibao, Barangay Buhawen on August 21 which resulted in the recovery of various ammunition and subversive documents.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., 7ID Division Commander, stressed the falsity of the statements spread by CPP-NPA's front organizations online.
“Your soldiers are professional and dedicated to the people, we would never do such a thing. And we denounce the moves of some groups to spread fake news to derail the AFP’s mission to save cultural minorities from the abuse of communist rebels,” he said. (PNA)