Human rights group Karapatan yesterday said they will file counter charges against the Philippine Army for the alleged illegal arrest of five upland farmers by soldiers in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Tuesday, for conducting what they called “ideological political organizational work.”

The families of the members also called on the Army to spare their loved ones from being tagged and prosecuted as rebels and to look at the plight of their children.

Fred Caña, Karapatan-Negros secretary-general, said they are preparing charges of illegal arrest and illegal search against the soldiers who apprehended Rene Boy and Junior Moreño, Ronilo Balismo, Ritchelyn Lozano and a certain Budok Bilado.

Karapatan and the families of the suspects maintain that they are farmers who were nabbed because their group, the Kapisanan ng Mangunguma sa Buenavista, is affiliated with the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, that pushes for the rights of farm workers.

He also said the alleged NPA rebels are ready to face the rebellion charges against them by the Army through their lawyer, Benjamin Ramos.

Margelene, wife of Rogelio, called on the Army to pity their five children who lost their father.

Nene, mother of Ritchelyn, said she is only 15 and could have not taught revolutionary topics to residents because she only finished Grade 3.

A .45 caliber pistol with two magazines containing ammunition, a .38 caliber revolver with three bullets, a homemade shotgun with two bullets, one magazine of M-16 assault rifle, an ICOM VHF radio handset, and a flag of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, and subversive documents were among the items allegedly seized from the five.

Lt. Col. Franco Nemesio Gacal, 11th IB commanding officer, said that the group was conducting IPO work in the upland boundary area of Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental, and Tayasan in Negros Oriental, in preparation for the establishment of another NPA guerilla front in central Negros.

Maj. Nathaniel Villasor, 303rd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations chief, meanwhile, said they are still verifying with the police reports that some of the arrested rebels are facing charges in court.*PP

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