The 79th Infantry Battalion of the army charged the Karapatan group with violations of Negros Oriental Provincial Ordinance No. 5 regulating fact-finding and other missions, Republic Act 7610, or child abuse, exploitation, and discrimination and perjury following the recent encounters between New People’s Army rebels and the military.

The encounter between army soldiers and NPA rebels occurred in a forested area at Sitio Payaw-payawan, Brgy. Nagbinlod, Sta Catalina, Negros Oriental  Wednesday, killing three rebels, and resulting in the recovery of high and low-powered firearms with ammunition.

At about 10:30 on the night of the encounter, 79 IB soldiers on patrol in Sitio Danao, Brgy. Nagbinlod, Sta. Catalina, said they saw a group of Karapatan members led by Manuel Bentillo alias “Mavin” carrying a man named Marvin Villegas, who had sustained a gunshot wound.

When questioned by soldiers about their presence, Bentillo identified himself as a member of Karapatan, and said, they were on a mission to assist Villegas who was gored by a carabao.

Further questioning with others in the group, however, revealed that Villegas had a gunshot wound on his chest, sustained at the site of the encounter.

When asked by soldiers if their group had a permit for their mission as required under the ordinance, they could not present any, the military claimed.

Soldiers then asked why Bentillo was travelling with minors in a dangerous area in the middle of the night. He said they are also Karapatan members helping in the mission.

The soldiers reminded him that minors should be protected and not exposed in dangerous situations such as presence in areas where there is armed conflict.

Realizing the need to bring the wounded Villegas to a hospital, and to protect the minors from danger, the soldiers said they called for assistance from their headquarters and escorted the group to safer places. The unit headquarters sent vehicles to fetch the group and also requested for an ambulance for Villegas.

The group of Bentillo was asked to come to the Santa Catalina police station to shed light on the inquiries of Villegas, and the presence of the minors. Villegas was brought to Bayawan City hospital while Bentillo’s group was turned over to the PNP.

The Army is still verifying the identity of Villegas and his involvement in the encounter. Former NPA rebels who have deserted have positively identified Villegas as an NPA member armed with an M16 rifle in the rebellion.

Meanwhile, perjury charges are being filed against Bentillo as he had signed a certification at the police station indicating that the two minors were both 18 years old. This is inconsistent with the admission of one that they are only 16 years old.*JG

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