MANILA, Philippines – Ipinagtanggol ni Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson ang operasyon ng Philippine Army sa Toboso town noong Abril 19, at sinabing ito ay lehitimong engkwentro laban sa mga natitirang miyembro ng New People’s Army (NPA).
Sa nangyaring sagupaan sa Barangay Salamanca, 19 katao na kinilalang mga miyembro ng NPA ang nasawi, kabilang si Roger Fabillar Tapang, ang special operations chief ng dismantled Northern Negros Front na may umano’y P1 milyong pabuya sa kanyang pag-aresto.
“We believe that it was a legitimate encounter. I think we should also realize that the Army could not have done that without information from the community. Clearly, the community helped guide the Philippine Army to run after their target,” pahayag ni Lacson sa panayam sa mga mamamahayag sa Capitol.
Si Lacson, na chair ng Regional Peace and Order Council sa Negros Island Region, ay nagsabing wala siyang pagdududa sa operasyon ng militar.
“In fact, we appreciate (what they do) because every day, they are out there sacrificing their lives for us to be free, for us to do whatever we have to do peacefully,” dagdag niya.
Ayon pa sa gobernador, wala nang pangangailangan para sa independent investigation dahil kasalukuyan nang iniimbestigahan ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR) ang insidente.
“For me, hindi na (not anymore). I don’t think there’s a need for that, but it’s already ongoing. I understand the Commission on Human Rights is already here in Negros doing its investigation,” aniya. “If you ask me, I will not call for an investigation because I trust that the Philippine Army encounter with the NPA was legitimate.”
Muling nanawagan si Lacson sa mga natitirang rebelde na sumuko sa pamahalaan.
“We’ve always said this, lay down your arms because there is only one army, and that is the Philippine Army. There is only one Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Even if you want to talk peace, do the first thing: ‘Lay down your arms,’” aniya.
Nauna nang sinabi ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na ang operasyon ng 79th Infantry Battalion ay nakabatay sa beripikadong ulat mula sa mga sibilyan at isinagawa alinsunod sa rules of engagement, kung saan inilikas ang mga residente habang nangyayari ang engkwentro. Mary Anne Sapico
