An Army sergeant assigned at the elite Scout Ranger unit is now in hot water for allegedly using excessive force on a civilian in Candoni, Negros Occidental, on Aug. 15.

Army Sgt. Rolando Bolon, a member of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, has been placed under restriction at a military camp for 60 days, on orders of his immediate superior officer, Lt. Col. Oriel Pangcog. This was for allegedly violating policies in the Code of Conduct, with respect to civilians, as prescribed in the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan”, Major Enrico Gil Ileto, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said.

While under restriction, Ileto said, other privileges of Bolon will also be suspended, and he can not be promoted for a year. The supervision is without prejudice to his administrative and civil liability.

Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, who also supervises the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, said he also ordered other units to conduct an independent investigation of the incident.

While a soldier is considered innocent until proven otherwise, Lactao, said this kind of complaint should be treated with utmost importance.

Under the IPSP Bayanihan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall apply the legitimate use of force, and military operations will only focus on the armed component of the insurgent groups. These shall be conducted with zero tolerance for collateral damage and must complement the efforts and of other stakeholders in addressing the roots of conflict.

Ileto said Bolon will also be required to undergo seminars and training related to upholding of human rights, the International Humanitarian Law and Rule of Law, while restricted. * GPB

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