Gov’t forces accused of arson, abduction in Masbate


INQUIRER.net
Last updated 07:46pm (Mla time) 04/09/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- A human rights organization has accused Army and police of burning at least 10 houses on April 2, following an encounter with communist rebels in Masbate, and abducting a fisherman the day after.

A report from Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights) said the alleged arson and abduction occurred hours after policemen from the Regional Mobile Group based in the town of San Jacinto engaged New People’s Army guerrillas in a three-hour clash in Sitio (sub-village) Bugang Artavista, Barangay (village) San Fernando.

Around 10 a.m., the report said, troops arrived with a man who introduced himself as Diinla, a policeman from Masbate City.

The troops allegedly ransacked and looted the houses of Santos Ramires, Lito Ontog, Ronnie Dellamas, Felipe Cabeles, Eddie Cabeles, Ricardo Delapeña, Lino Bona, Danilo Bona, Dominador Cabeles and Ligaya Bartolata, a widow, ostensibly looking for wounded rebels.

“Around 3:30 to 4 p.m., the military burned the houses one by one while the owners helplessly wept as they watched their burning homes.”

At 6 a.m. the next day, Karapatan said the troops left the place after allegedly burning the house they had slept in.

On their way, they met Leonardo Cabeles and asked him to guide them to San Jacinto.

“However, before they left, they made him dress in a uniform similar to theirs and wear a bonnet,” the Karapatan report said.

Since then, Leonardo has not been seen or heard from, it said.

Karapatan said the alleged arson and abduction drove the 31 families living in Sitio Bugang Artavista, including those who lost their homes, to flee and seek shelter in village halls.


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