8ID junks Katungod-SB-Karapatan’s allegation of violation of rights of children by 14IB

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City - The allegation of violation of children’s rights by soldiers of the Army’s 14th Infantry Battalion as mentioned in the press release of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) Katungod-SB-Karapatan on March 4, 2011 is a mere fabrication. Accordingly, the incidents transpired in Eastern Samar where 14IB while conducting military operations at Brgy. Huknan, Giporlos municipality allegedly threatened and interrogated two 17 years old children.

However, Lt Col Hermilo Demafiles, Commanding Officer of 14IB dismissed this accusation as untrue. “The statement of Katungod-SB-Karapatan is a total lie and only intends to poison the people we are serving. People might get angry when reading these new propaganda lines of Katungod-SB for they themselves are the one volunteering their support in the pursuit of genuine peace in their province,” says Lieutenant Colonel Demafiles.

“Even the local government officials are satisfied with the way the 14IB implements the peace initiatives in their localities in contradiction with the allegation of Katungod-SB-Karapatan,” he added.

Katungod-SB-Karapatan, a front organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA), usually becomes noisy when it sensed that the government forces are winning in its counter insurgency drive in the area. It can be recalled that 14IB flagged various feats against the terrorist NPA in Eastern Samar where the enemy camps and firearms were seized and a number of them either killed or surrender.

Furthermore, no less than Roberto Gacuma, former secretary of South Samar Front (SSF) of Samar Provincial Party Committee (SPPC), Eastern Samar Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) of the CPP who surrendered recently has confirmed the lies behind this Katungod-SB-Karapatan. In a press conference sometime in March 2010, Gacuma declared that KATUNGOD-SB-Karapatan is being run by the CPP-NPA and serves as their immediate propaganda mouthpiece.

Hence, it is but normal that KATUNGOD-SB-Karapatan is biased against the military being a front organization of the CPP. That is why they were silent when an innocent child was mercilessly killed by members of the NPA that ambushed the troops of 63IB last December 14, 2010 in Northern Samar. Is this not a clear violation of human rights especially the rights of children? KATUNGOD-SB-Karapatan chose to keep their mouth shut regarding this incident because the perpetrators (NPA) are their comrades.

We are therefore appealing to the people of Eastern Visayas not to fall victim to the black propaganda of Katungod-SB-Karapatan but to work hand-in hand with the authorities to include media entities and various religious and people’s organization to take account our moral obligations to maintain peace and harmony in our respective communities.