|
Friday, October 01, 2004
Rsap member killed in Arayat encounter?
By Chris Navarro and Rhay Navales
* Four-year-old son hit by stray bullet
* Victim's brother claims there was no "encounter"
ARAYAT -- A suspected member of the armed group Rebolusyonaryong Samahang Anak Pawis (Rsap) was shot dead by soldiers of the 69th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army (PA) Thursday morning in Barangay Arenas here.
Killed was Danilo Sanchez, 42, of Purok 5 Barangay Arenas, a suspected Rsap member, and believed to be a former member of the Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB).
However, Fred Sanchez, brother of Danilo, alleged that "there was no encounter".
He admitted that his brother was armed a .45 caliber pistol but said the latter did not fire a single shot.
He said Danilo's four-year-old son, Jerome, was also hit by a stray bullet and was rushed to the Angeles Medical Center.
But in a text message to Sun•Star Pampanga, the PA reported that one Lt. Nabejet, a platoon leader of the 69th IB and his men received information that five armed men were spotted in Barangay Arenas here.
Reports disclosed that an encounter ensued between Sanchez's group and government troops, killing the alleged RSAP member in the firefight.
Recovered from the scene were one M-16 rifle and a .45 caliber pistol.
Relatives of Sanchez are now contemplating of filing charges before the court and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), it was learned.
Reports said the raid is a joint operation of the PA and the Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial command.
However, PMG chief Supt. Ernald Keith Singian said that they are not part of the operation and that his team arrived at the site after the incident.
Singian added that they only assisted the PA in clearing the area.
(October 1, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
