BACOLOD City – Grieving families of soldiers and civilians killed in skirmishes or allegedly executed by the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels are seeking the support of human rights advocates.
During an outreach initiative by the Provincial Task Force – End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Bacolod City yesterday, Loremie Camilan, widow of Staff Sergeant Ken Camilan, voiced her discontent with human rights organizations. She felt they have neglected the sacrifices made by fallen members of the Philippine Army.
She lamented the absence of empathy from these groups, stating she neither felt their presence nor received any condolences.
Sgt. Camilan and Sergeant Regie Glindro were killed by NPA rebels in Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental last November 2022. Sgt. Camilan served as an intelligence officer for the 47th Infantry Battalion.
Another bereaved family member present was Rochie Resotay, widow of Eliseo Resotay. She explained that her spouse, a former overseas Filipino worker and farmer, was wrongly identified by the NPA rebels as a government informant.
Eliseo met his tragic end this past August in Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava town, Negros Occidental, after pleading with NPA rebels to halt civilian killings. The NPA’s Roselyn Jean Pelle Command subsequently took responsibility for his demise.
Reacting to these pleas, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Negros Occidental committed to liaising with the aggrieved families and to launch a moto proprio investigation.
Vincent Parra, head of CHR-Negros Occidental, conveyed their ongoing commitment to examining such cases with support from local authorities, regardless of the presence of a formal complainant. They also extend financial assistance to families in dire straits.
In related news, the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde) reported that, since January 2022, the NPA has been responsible for 51 deaths within the province.
Brigadier General Orlando Edralin of the 303IBde shared that of these, 34 were civilians, five were soldiers, three were ex-rebels, and one was a police officer.
He pointed out that many of these victims were wrongly identified as informants aiding government forces.
General Edralin, along with 3rd Infantry Division commander Major General Marion Sison, recently met with Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos. Their discussion centered on fortifying the military’s strategies for local peace endeavors. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
