Have an open mind, BPC prexy urges critics on
military operations in SurSur
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) - The Butuan Press
Club (BPC) thru its president Consolador “Boy” Mantilla has asked the critics
of the military to have at least an open mind and support the current military
operations conducted against the perpetrators who were behind the killings of
three lumads in Surigao del Sur recently.
“I believe the military is just doing their
mandate, that is, to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure peace and
order in the area,” said Mantilla.
It can be recalled that the 4th Infantry
Division’s advance command post executive director and Civil Military
Operations (CMO) battalion commander Lt. Col. Rey Pasco had cried foul over
what they say are "appalling allegations" of involvement in the
killing of Emerito Samarca, 54, Executive Director of the Alternative Learning
Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development (Alcadev); Dionel Campos,
chair of the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU); and Campos’
cousin, Bello Sinzo last September 1 in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
“There’s no truth to it. We are just performing our functions in
accordance with our specified objectives including the protection of our fellow
citizens and the attainment of peace and development in the community,” Pasco
said.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Surigao del Sur
provincial director P/SSupt Narciso Verdadero on Monday said charges of
multiple murder, arson, grave coercions, robbery, and grave threats had already
been filed against siblings Bobby and Loloy Tejero, Garito Layno, and 20 John
Does at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
“We are urging our authorities to investigate this
properly and bring the perpetrators to justice so this will not happen again,”
Mantilla concluded. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)
Army, PNP activate ‘Joint Task Force Tejero'
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) – The 4th Infantry
"Diamond" Division, Philippine Army (4ID, PA) and the Philippine
National Police (PNP) Caraga activated on Wednesday a joint task force to go
after the suspects who are responsible for the killing of three lumad leaders
in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur last September 1, 2015.
The 'Joint Task Force (JTF) Tejero' will be headed
by PNP Surigao del Sur provincial director PSSupt. Narciso Verdadero thru the
Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee or JPSCC to ensure continuity
and inter-operability of operating units within Caraga region.
JTF Tejero was the result of the meeting between
the PNP, AFP and the provincial government of Surigao del Sur presided by
Governor Johnny Pimentel and attended by 4ID commander MGen. Oscar Lactao, PNP
Caraga deputy regional director for operations PSSupt. Gregorio Pimentel, 402nd
brigade comander Col. Isidro Purisima and PSSupt. Verdadero.
"The reason why we created this JTF is to
immediately arrest Bobby Tejero and his group who are responsible for the
killing last September 1, 2015 and also to disarm other threat groups in the
province,” said Gov. Pimentel.
Earlier on Monday, cases have been filed before
the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Lianga, Surigao del Sur against the
suspects led by Bobby Tejero, sibling Loloy Tejero, Garito Layno, and 20 John
Does who burned a cooperative and killed Emerito Samarca, executive director,
Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (ALCADEV); Dionel Campos,
chair, Malahutayong Pakigbisug alang sa Sumusunod (Mapasu); and Aurello Sinzo,
a civilian, in Brgy Diatagon. They were charged with grave coercion, multiple
murder, arson, robbery, and grave threats.
"Together with the Philippine Army we will
bring these suspects to the folds of law for the speedy resolution of the
situation in the area,” said PNP Caraga regional director PCSupt. Vert Chavez.
MGen Lactao also said that they will provide
necessary resources to support the PNP on this law enforcement operation
especially on the immediate arrest of the suspects, "and to shed light on
the crimes they’ve committed."
“Our presence in the area is for peacekeeping
mission to prevent further bloodshed on this tribal conflict situation,” MGen
Lactao added.
PCSupt. Chavez and MGen. Lactao also vowed to
continually and mutually support each other in the quest for justice to the
victims and the observance of the rule of law. (with reports from Cpt. Joe
Patrick Martinez, SPO1 Zena Menioria Panaligan/PIA-Caraga)
