Press release
4 October 2012
The 27th Infantry Battalion (IB) commanding officer Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo’s contentions that his troop conducted a raid, killing two armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Telafas village, Columbio on September 29 is a sheer high-falutin and shameless fibbing of the fascist to conceal their ruthless and barbaric act towards the innocent civilians.
Their victims were ordinary peasants and innocent civilian residents, not NPA members, and no legitimate military encounter happened. Past 3 o’clock at dawn, the patrolling Army indiscriminately strafes the farm shack where the victims are sleeping. Dead on the spot were Andy Datuwata, a 24 year old farmer, and Ronald Malley, a 16 years old freshman in Brgy. Telafas National High School. The fascists also apprehended Tata Malley, 22 years old, mauled him before turning him over to the police station in Columbio town. The victims are Tiruray residents in the area.
The NDF-FSMR strongly condemns this inhuman attack done by the 27th IB against the civilians. We also express our sympathy to the families, the Tiruray folks and friends of the victims at the time of their grief, pain and injustice.
The 27th IB insists that the rifles they recovered in the crime scene are substantial “proof” or “evidences” to establish that the victims are NPA guerillas.
But it has long been known in Columbio that possessing and retaining firearms is common among the locals for their defense. Keeping arms is a traditional practice of the Lumads, and having at least one have become necessary for their survival and for living.
This ferocious crime committed by the 27th IB is a blatant and grave breach of the CARHRIHL and the laws espousing the protection of human rights.
Furthermore, it unambiguously hounds the rights and the life and being of the Lumad minority and young victims. Such barbaric act is the character and a usual practice of the 27th IB in carrying out their duties as mercenary defenders of foreign agribusinesses and mining companies. This is a manifestation of the real implementation of PNoy’s Oplan Bayanihan which apparently promotes and protects “peace and development.”
The Malley and Datuwata families and their Tiruray folks are the occupants of Sinalkuhan, Brgy. Telafas and tillers of the lands persistently been aimed for agricultural plantations and mining operations. The area is within the FTAA acquired formerly by the Western Mining Corporation and now owned by the Xstrata-SMI, the company currently bankrolling the operations conducted by the 27th IB and PNP in the area. These families and their Tiruray folks strongly
opposes the agri-plantations and large-scale mining.
The 27th IB elements’ wicked and spiteful killing of Ronald Malley and Anthony Datuwata adds up to the lengthy list of violations and bloody crimes perpetrated by the AFP against the people. Never would the innocent civilians put behind the fierceful attacks meted out by the AFP against them such as the brutal killings of Rogelio Lagaru in Brgy. Datal Blao, Columbio in 2006; Boy Sarino in Sityo Tinansang, Brgy. Palavilla, Lutayan in 2008; Tuliano Dalumatan in Sityo Takol,
Brgy. Sinapulan, Columbio in 2009; Boy Billanes in Koronadal City in 2008; the Bolani family massacre in Sityo Latil, Brgy. Abnate, Kiblawan in 2004; and many others.
The executors of these crimes, the 27th IB led by Lt. Col. Bravo, the AFP, and the US-Aquino regime who is the real tyrant behind these ploys, are accountable and must be punished for the recurring offenses, injuries, and injustices they wreak onto the innocent civilians.
For reference:
Ka Efren
Spokesperson,
National Democratic Front FarSouth Mindanao Region
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