They will never stop until we disband them

A Press Statement by KATUNGOD–SB–KARAPATAN
March 1, 2011

It can be remembered that last November 15, 2010 within the vicinity of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the team of botanist Leonard Co with Sofronio Cortez, Julio Borromeo, Ronino Gibe, and Policarpio Balute was peppered with bullets by the elements of the 19th Infantry Battalion. As a result, Prof. Leonard Co, Sofronio Cortez and Julio Borromeo were killed.

Right after the incident, the undying military propaganda line bombarded the airwaves alleging crossfire. Many investigations were conducted, all of which negates the allegation of crossfire. Cases were filed against the 19th Infantry Battalion.

The Regional Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights, KATUNGOD–SB–KARAPATAN, from its initial gathering of facts up to its participation in the National Fact Finding Mission in Kananga, Leyte maintained its findings that what happened last November 15, 2010 is a sheer and glaring massacre of innocent civilians perpetrated by the elements of the 19th Infantry Battalion.

This massacre is not the first. K3 (Kananga 3 Massacre) is the fourth under the belt of the 19th Infantry Battalion: first is the Palapag Massacre in 1999 (first assignment of 19th IB was in Northern Samar), second is the Kananga 9 massacre in 2003 in Brgy. Mahayag, Kananga, Leyte, and third is the Palo Massacre in 2005 in San Agustin, Palo, Leyte.

On the other hand, of the 16 political prisoners in the Region, who were languishing in jail for trumped up charges, nine (9) of them were arrested by the 19th Infantry Battalion. The arrests were coupled with detention and torture at their military camp.

Just recently, military elements of 19th Infantry Battalion, even with the declaration of ceasefire, conducted military operations in the barangays of Albuera, Leyte and occupying civilian installations and houses inside the Barangay: a violation of the International Humanitarian Law. In the course of their operations, the military interrogated some residents and a 17-year old girl was almost raped by one soldier.

Again, the Regional Alliance, KATUNGOD–SB–KARAPATAN, fervently calls for the immediate disband of the 19th Infantry Battalion. Time and again they have shown not to protect the rights and interest of the people of Leyte but in fact they remain as the number one violator of these rights: from the basic right to liberty to the sacred right to life.

Reference:

Kathrina R. Castillo

Head, Documentation and Legal Services Committee, KATUNGOD–SB–KARAPATAN