ILOILO – Cause-oriented group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Panay is urging the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate last week’s series of rebel-military clashes in Calinog town which resulted in the deaths of five individuals believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
According to Bayan Panay secretary general Elmer Forro, their group received troubling information from the family of 57-year-old Aurelio Berjes Bosque, a resident of Barangay Carvasana, Calinog.
Bosque and three others were allegedly bound and showed signs of severe mistreatment before their deaths.
“We have strong reasons to suspect that their deaths involved abuses. Even if they were NPA, they still deserved the lawful conduct of war,” Forro said.
Warfare must adhere to humanitarian standards, Forro stressed, asserting that once adversaries are incapacitated, they should not be tortured or killed but rather given a chance to surrender.
“This is what distinguishes our desire for what should occur in the ongoing civil conflict between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); international law regarding war must be respected,” he added.
According to the military, Bosque, who was also known by aliases including Burnok and Boy, was a member of the Regional Headquarters Executive Command of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP-NPA) in Panay Island and had previously served as a spokesperson for Bayan Muna-Panay and Kilosang Mayo Uno labor group.
“Bosque had long been part of the labor movement before he decided to resign due to serious life threats following red-tagging and intense state surveillance,” said Forro.
However, Forro clarified that since Bosque left Bayan Muna, they had lost contact and were unaware of his circumstances leading up to his death.
Atty. Jonnie Dabuco, director of CHR Region 6, expressed readiness to conduct a motu proprio investigation concerning the encounters.
He had not yet received an official request from any organization or family for assistance but said CHR could initiate an investigation if there were allegations of human rights violations.
“Depending on allegations of human rights violations, such as torture, it’s possible we might engage a forensic expert to perform an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death,” Dabuco said.
“If necessary, depending on the evidence and if the family wishes to pursue a case, we will facilitate or refer the case to the appropriate government agencies,” he added.
Aside from Bosque, the four other casualties were the following, according to the Philippine Army:
* Jovelyn Silverio, also known as Darlyn, was a resident of Barangay Patria, Pandan, Antique. She had served as Platoon Supply Officer for the NPA’s Regional Headquarters Force, KR-Panay, and had previously held the position of Political Officer for the now-dismantled Southern Panay Front.
* Armando Rogelio Sabares, alias Kamlon, from Barangay Igcaratong, San Joaquin, Iloilo, was noted for his expertise in improvised explosive devices. As the NPA-Panay’s ordnance officer, he faced criminal charges for multiple murders in Antique.
* Rumulo Ituriaga Gangoso, known as Reagan, a resident of Sitio Tuwang-tuwangan, Barangay Bungsuan, Dumarao, Capiz, was also among those killed. Formerly commanding the NPA’s dismantled Eastern Front, KR-Panay, Gangoso had been reassigned due to illness and old age.
* Jielmor Gauranoc, alias Doc, Tango, Baron, was a resident of Barangay Aras-asan, Sebaste, Antique. He was a member of the RSDG, KR-P, former member of Squad 1, Southern Panay Front (D), KR-Panay; former member of, Gaisano Squad, SPF, KR-Panay; former member of Mazda Squad, Suzuki (SYP) Platoon, SPF, KR-P, and member of Team 2, Sqd 1, Suyak (SDG) Platoon, SPF, KR-Panay./PN
