THE 25th Infantry Battalion (IB) has denied accusations over the alleged abduction of a teacher and a minor in New Dalaguete, Montevista, Compostela Valley, last week.
The teacher and the minor were conducting a cultural activity in Dalaguit Elementary School in Montevista when they were allegedly abducted by members of the 25th IB.
But 25th IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Balignasay said Wednesday, February 21, that the allegations against them were all blatant lies.
He said while it is true that they invited two individuals, these two voluntarily went with them for questioning and were already released.
"Walang katotohanan ang kumakalat na balita sapagkat hindi naman gagawin ng inyong kasundalohan ang mga bagay na binibintang sa amin, propaganda lang na ginagamit ng ibang grupo para lang i-discredit ang inyong Philippine Army or armed forces (The news that was spread [about the abduction] is not true because the government troops won't do what was accused on us. It's all but propaganda used by other groups to discredit the Philippine Army or the armed forces)," Balignasay said.
Balignasay's statement came after Kilab Multimedia posted on its Facebook page on February 19 the alleged abduction of the community teacher, identified as Eugene Laurente, and his 17-year-old companion.
"On February 17, 2018, around 3 p.m., 24 youth and children delegates of cultural training Youth Action Anti-Drugs Workshop, held at Dalaguit Elementary School in New Dalaguete, Montevista, Compostela Valley province, were abducted by military men from 25th IB. The said participants were members of Kabataan Ayaw sa Droga," the post read.
But Balignasay said that on February 17, his unit launched a focused military operation (FMO) in Barangay New Dalaguete, Mayaon and Camatangan, all of the Municipality of Montevista, after an NPA surrenderer revealed that some members of the Guerilla Front 33 and Pulang Bagani Company 4 were in those areas.
A combat team was immediately dispatched to the area to verify the report. Upon arrival in Barangay Mayaon, some of the residents there also informed the military that there was an activity ongoing involving youth and children, said Balignasay.
He said there were around 24 children at the school and to prevent them from being caught in the possible crossfire, they sent the kids back to their respective homes. They, however, invited the two individuals for questioning after they found out that the two were not from the place and subversive documents were recovered containing revolutionary teachings.
He said with the current implementation of martial law in Mindanao, the unit exercises its official/legal functions by inviting the individuals for interview to verify the issues. The instructors, however, went with the troops and police voluntarily for interview at Camp Kalaw, Monkayo, in Compostela Valley.
The minor, upon further investigation, admitted that she is a member of the New People's Army who was tasked to organize a youth group through cultural activities. After they are organized, they will teach them with revolutionary ideology, she said.
The minor was turned over to the Municipality Social Worker and Development Office-Montevista and underwent medical check-up and other documentations. The two were both released and sent home safely on February 19, said Balignasay.
He said the troops also facilitated the transportation of the mother of the minor, who is from Agusan. The mother said she thought that her daughter was studying in Davao City.