Major General Jose Mabanta, 3rd Infantry Division commander, yesterday said they are open to a dialog with human rights advocates in Negros and Panay, to stop human rights abuses in Western Visayas.

This was after human rights group Karapatan-Negros condemned the alleged involvement of an Army soldier in the killing of a farmer in Toboso, Negros Occidental, last month.

Mabanta said that while they are more than willing to cooperate with Karapatan-Negros, he is asking them to present evidences, to the Philippine Army so it can immediately conduct more intensive investigations.

Army Sgt. Levi Tejano, a member of the 61st Infantry Battalion, was released on October 29, almost four days after he was detained for the alleged shooting to death of Vicente Villanueva in Brgy. San Jose, Toboso, after the family of the victim failed to file charges against him, police investigations show.

Chief Inspector Danilo Zuniega, Toboso police chief, however, said the family of Villanueva can still file charges against Tejano, despite his release from jail.

Tejano and Villanueva, who claimed to be a member of the New People’s Army, were having drinks on Oct. 24 and traded shots, after a heated debate over the communist ideology and democracy, investigations by the Toboso police showed.

Mabanta said the Army will cooperate with the proper authorities to bring justice to all.

Villanueva and Tejano, both residents of Brgy. San Jose, Toboso, and who were classmates during their elementary years, were at the house of Tejano, when the alleged shoot-out took place. Villanueva allegedly poked a homemade gun at the soldier, who was about to leave, Zuniega said.

Tejano reportedly pushed Villanueva and tried to flee. However, Villanueva fired at him and he retaliated by shooting him, causing his death, Zuniega added.

The Army soldier surrendered later to the Toboso Police Station, and also surrendered his 40mm Taurus pistol to the police.

A homemade gun, locally known as a “pugalite”, allegedly owned by the victim, 40 live bullets and three empty shells of a 5.56mm firearm, were recovered at the crime scene, Toboso police investigations also showed.

Lt. Col. Christopher Sab-it, 61st IB commander, said that while Tejano has been released from detention because no charges was filed against him, he is still under restrictive custody and an investigation is ongoing.*GPB

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