Special investigator Jess Cañete of the Negros Oriental Commission on Human Rights is set to probe a complaint filed by the Dacal-dacal family from Barangay Nagbalaye, Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental against alleged human rights violations by the military and a civilian armed auxiliary.

To be investigated, Cañete said, is the complaint filed by Perla, Jocelyn, Rosita and Flash Elorde, all surnamed Dacal-dacal, lodged before CHR chair Leila de Lima a few weeks ago, and downloaded to the Region 7 CHR office and later to Cañete at the CHR local level.

The complainants, all residents of Sitio Nagod-od in Barangay Nagbalaye, claimed troopers of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit barged into their house and accused them of being members of the New People's Army sometime in August.

They also claimed that the soldiers made them sign documents, took their pictures and made them put up placards saying that militant organizations were not welcome in their homes.

They identified the CAFGU personnel as Juanito Udtohan and one of the soldiers as Sgt. Macmac Moreno.

Udtohan and the 79th IB has denied the allegations, but admitted that they went to the Dacal-dacal residence to ask them to convince at least three members of their family to leave the revolutionary movement.

Sources have revealed that Perla's husband, Jessie, Rosita's husband, Aming, and Jocelyn's husband, Junie, are alleged NPA members operating in Sta. Catalina town.

The three are brothers of complainant, Flash Elorde Dacal-dacal.

The KARAPATAN and the Promotion for Church People's Response in Dumaguete conducted a fact-finding mission and later presented the complainants to the local media.

The Dacal-dacal family also complained that Nagbalaye residents and barangay officials led by their chairman, Marlon Agbon, are trying to drive them out of Sitio Nagod-od.

Nagbalaye officials and residents have openly denounced the NPA in their barangay and are trying to regulate the entry of militant groups, such as the KARAPATAN, to their community.

They went to the CHR office last month, with Jimmy Siarot, a former NPA rebel, and said they wanted Cañete's advice.

Siarot confirmed then that the Dacal-dacal brothers are still with the NPA.

Cañete said he has summoned Moreno, Udtohan and Nagbalaye officials to the first open investigation on Oct. 21st at his office in Dumaguete and the respondents have confirmed their attendance.*JFP

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