The soldiers from the 28th IB, Delgado said, fired, hitting all of the four passengers and the driver. Auling Bugahod, 50, and Mabundas, 25, died on the spot, while Villafuerte Sr., 39, Monith Bugahod and Suralta, 28, were injured.
According to Delgado, residents in the area immediately rushed to the place of the incident but soldiers cordoned off the area and the residents were prevented from seeing the victims.
“It’s clear that this incident illustrates the inhuman, irresponsible and fascist display of power by the military elements in New Bataan, Compostela Valley,” Delgado said. “The military is now on a killing spree, shooting everyone in New Bataan.”
The soldiers involved in these shootings belonged to the same brigade that killed Grecil Buya, the nine-year-girl who was shot dead by the army on March 31.
“Clearly, the main purpose of the military presence in the area is to spread terror among the civilians,” Delgado said, as he called on local governments in Compostela valley to take action. He also called on the Commission on Human Rights to investigate the shootings.
In Manila, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and the partylist group AnakPawis condemned the killings.
The military is in a rampage in Compostela Valley and there is martial rule in New Bataan, which is under the direct control of Brig. General Carlos Holganza. Our leaders in the area are being threatened and the soldiers are on a killing spree,” said Willy Marbella, the group’s spokesman.
Marbella said the army should pull out of Compostela Valley. We are also calling for the immediate termination of Gen. Holganza from the service because his actions are more of a warlord’s rather than a soldier’s. We will also bring this issue to the international community to further expose the horrible human rights situation in our country, Marbella said.
Karapatan earlier denounced Holganza’s 1001st Brigade for the more than 34 military operations conducted in New Bataan alone since January. Delgado described the operations as “alarming.”
The army has likewise been conducting several symposiums and discussions in schools, disparaging leftist groups lile Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kabataan Party and Suara Bangsamoro, Delgado said. (davaotoday.com)
