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Friday, February 21, 2003
Alamara didn't commit HR violations: military
By Ana F. Dulay
THREE days after lumads from Talaingod, Davao del Norte and Paquibato District, Davao City accused the Alamara of human rights violations, the military Thursday denied any atrocities committed by the paramilitary group.
"Ano bang klaseng human rights violations doon? We have not monitored any atrocities," Col. Rodolfo Obaniana, 701st Infantry Battalion commander, said in an interview Thursday.
He said this might be part of a propaganda since they are operating in the area. "There is no single abuse that has come to my attention."
In a press conference Tuesday, different tribal leaders in Davao del
Norte, North Cotabato and Bukidnon revealed human rights abuses by the Alamara in the area.
The lumads decried the counter-insurgency measures of the military who
"pit them (lumads) against each by arming other lumads."
Traditionally, Alamara are tribal warriors who bring primitive weapons but recently utilized by the military as part of their counter-insurgency measures.
Obaniana said it is normal for "anti-government" forces to accuse them of atrocities whenever the military conducts operations in the area.
He said, "saturated kami ng troops doon. We supervise the operation and the same time of abuses (we have saturated the area with troops)."
Obaniana said these might be ploys to stop them from further military operations.
Meanwhile, Col. Gerardo Barrientos, 72nd Infantry Battallion commander has yet to confirm if the Alamara carries high-powered weapons.
Barrientos, who has jurisdiction over the provinces of Davao del Norte said, "may mga tabak, shotguns, homemade kasi hindi naman masyadong na-expose ang high powered (high powered weapons are not often exposed)."
He said they are still conducting investigations. "Kung sino talaga ang may bigay ng mga baril na iyan, if any (who gave arms to the lumad)."
(February 21, 2003 issue)
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