Incident involves a civilian
TACLOBAN CITY- The Philippine Army in Leyte has welcomed the investigation being conducted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) of a killing incident last year reportedly perpetrated by the New People’s Army.
A team from the regional CHR went to the village of Binibihan in Carigara town last Monday (May 30) to start their probe on the killing of one Jesus Sarcilla by alleged NPA members on December 7, 2021.
The said incident was witnessed by the daughter of the victim and was perpetrated by a group of rebels led by Juanito Sellesa who is known also by his alias ‘Ka Tibor.’
Col. Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade which is based in Ormoc City, Leyte, said that he welcomes the probe of the CHR involving the killing by the rebels of a civilian saying it was a clear violation of the international humanitarian law (IHL).
“The promotion, adherence, and respect of human rights is the utmost responsibility of every soldier. Thus, assisting the CHR in the implementation of the provisions of IHL and RA 9851 is a sworn duty of individual soldiers so as to protect the life and properties of civilians from a terrorist act of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army—National Democratic Front,” he said in a statement.
RA 9851 penalizes crimes against IHL and other crimes against humanity.
The CHR team, led by Raquel Barastas, said that aside from providing financial assistance, they want that justice will be served to the family and prosecute those behind his killing.
Government forces in the past have criticized the CHR for not conducting its own investigation on atrocities reportedly committed by the insurgents.
Vestuir had earlier said that he is serious in quelling the insurgency problem in Leyte as he called on the civilians to help them by not allowing themselves to be used by the rebels.
A team from the regional CHR went to the village of Binibihan in Carigara town last Monday (May 30) to start their probe on the killing of one Jesus Sarcilla by alleged NPA members on December 7, 2021.
The said incident was witnessed by the daughter of the victim and was perpetrated by a group of rebels led by Juanito Sellesa who is known also by his alias ‘Ka Tibor.’
Col. Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade which is based in Ormoc City, Leyte, said that he welcomes the probe of the CHR involving the killing by the rebels of a civilian saying it was a clear violation of the international humanitarian law (IHL).
“The promotion, adherence, and respect of human rights is the utmost responsibility of every soldier. Thus, assisting the CHR in the implementation of the provisions of IHL and RA 9851 is a sworn duty of individual soldiers so as to protect the life and properties of civilians from a terrorist act of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army—National Democratic Front,” he said in a statement.
RA 9851 penalizes crimes against IHL and other crimes against humanity.
The CHR team, led by Raquel Barastas, said that aside from providing financial assistance, they want that justice will be served to the family and prosecute those behind his killing.
Government forces in the past have criticized the CHR for not conducting its own investigation on atrocities reportedly committed by the insurgents.
Vestuir had earlier said that he is serious in quelling the insurgency problem in Leyte as he called on the civilians to help them by not allowing themselves to be used by the rebels.
