Another hearing on Paquibato massacre sought

A DAVAO City legislator said Monday that another committee hearing on the killing of three lumads in Paquibato will be conducted to unravel the truth behind the inconsistencies in the statements of both the military and Karapatan-Southern Mindanao Region (SMR).

Human Rights Committee chair Councilor Karlo Bello, in an interview with reporters Monday, said the committee members will still meet and discuss the next steps of their investigation.

"May mga statements on a certain situation from both parties regarding the incident na hindi na mag-match. Sabi ni Luisa, mother of one of the victims, na nagtago lang daw hanggang matapos ang putukan pero sabi naman ng military, inassist daw nila ang mother palabas doon sa bahay ni Aida Seisa," Bello said.

"We also need to conduct another hearing with both parties present to look into the statements that differ before submitting the committee report to the 17th City Council," he added.

Bello added that they are also looking into the illegal issuance of the warrants of arrest by the military. "Hindi pwede ang military ang mag-issue ng isang warrant of arrest. It should be the head of office of law enforcement agency which is the Philippine National Police (PNP)."

Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Intal, commander of the 69th Infantry Battalion (IB), reiterated that it was a legitimate encounter.

"We will also provide supporting evidences especially a video to disprove the accusations made by Karapatan," Intal said.

But Bello required the military side to submit a position paper not later than next Monday for the committee to further evaluate the documents from both parties.

"We need to study all documents from both sides to ensure impartiality of the truth," Bello said.

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