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Monday, May 22, 2006
Army, rebel group trade raps on executions
By Lino Dela Cruz
Iligan Correspondent
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao blamed Sunday the military for the spate of killings in the island, which claimed the lives of some 21 militant personalities, including media practitioners.
NDF spokesman Jorge Madlos alias "Ka Oris" in a statement said the recent killing of Calamba, Misamis Occidental Pastor Jeremias Tinambacan and the wounding of his wife Malou, was the handiwork of the military's "Mindanao Death Squad."
The NDF said that in nine months, since September 2005 up to May 6 this year, at least 21 personalities in Mindanao were killed.
It said the recent discovery by the military of a supposed "killing fields" in Kibungkod, San Fernando, Bukidnon province, is not true.
Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division commander Cardozo Luna said the mass grave found in Bukidnon belonged to civilians suspected by the communist rebels to be informers or "assets" of the military and were summarily executed.
The NDF denied the charges of the military.
"Mindanao Death Squad is composed of army regulars, thugs, and former (New People's Army) NPA rebels who are under the supervision of the military," Madlos said.
The NDF called on the people to condemn these killings in Mindanao and Luzon.
"The NPA reserves the right to punitive action against those involved in these criminal acts," Madlos said.
The military and the NPA have been accusing each other of resorting to executions in order to eliminate targets.
Last week the military said three members of the NPA suspected to be spies, were executed by their own comrades in Mt. Balatukan Complex, Gingoog City Misamis Oriental, after they were reportedly set to surrender to the government.
Shortly after the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and an organization of lawyers chided the military for trying to coerce some members to sign affidavits attesting that they are NPA rebels and are responsible for the killings in their province.
Earlier, Fourth Infantry Division spokesman Francisco Simbajon said all NPA members have a group called SK or Silu Kamatayon Sa Tanang Mga traydor Sa Kalihukan (Death Penalty For Traitors to the Movement).
"This incident is not new to the NPA members so the others they try to escape," he said in a text message. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
(May 22, 2006 issue)
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