Army officer may face court martial over Lumad killings

MANILA, Philippines - An Army officer may face court martial for his supposed failure to confront the group tagged in the killing of three Lumads or indigenous peoples early this month in Surigao del Sur.

Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao said the officer, a platoon leader, may have exercised “poor judgment” on the day the victims were killed by armed men.

Citing the findings of an Army investigating panel, Hao said the platoon leader saw a burning building and unidentified armed men in Barangay Diatagon in Lianga town last September 1.

“He (platoon leader) then called the headquarters and the last instruction to him was prepare to engage and ensure that civilians will not be harmed,” Hao said.

“The platoon leader then asked how he can engage (the armed men) because there are several civilians including women and children and there are civilians being used as human shields,” he added.

The platoon leader then decided to clear the area after an hour but the armed men have already left. The armed men reportedly blended with the civilians who evacuated to safer areas.

“That’s what we call judgment call. They are checking if there was poor judgment on his part,” Hao said.

The three Lumads who were killed last September 1 were identified as Emerito Samarca, executive director of Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development and indigenous people’s leaders Dionel Campos and Bello Sinzo.

Militant groups said the killers belong to an Army-backed group called Magahat-Bagani Force. The military, however, denied any involvement in the killings and attributed them to “tribal conflict.”

The Army withheld the identity of the platoon leader citing due process. Hao, however, said the officer carries a rank of second lieutenant and is under the 68th Infantry Battalion.

The platoon leader may face the military tribunal for possible violation of Article of War 96 or conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman and 97 or conduct of a nature that brings discredit upon the military service.

“The case of our lieutenant is clearly different to the killings of the Lumads in Lianga. The military has nothing do to with the killings,” Hao said.

The Army investigating unit also recommended that the immediate superior of the platoon commander be reprimanded “for failure to give clear direct, guidance and supervision.”

The immediate superior is a company commander and carries a rank of first lieutenant.

Lumads killed 

Meanwhile, the military on Monday accused the New People’s Army (NPA) of killing two Lumads in Valencia City, Bukidnon last Sunday.

Cpt. Jose Patrick Martinez, spokesman of the Army’s 4th division, said the victims were killed by members of the NPA Guerilla Front 68 in a forested area near Sitio Nasilic in Barangay Lilingayon at around 8 a.m.

The victims were identified as Reymund Dayo Licanay, 21, and his 18-year old brother Roy, both members of the Talaandig tribe.

“The PNP (Philippine National Police) says that empty shells of AK-47 and M14 ammunition were found alongside the dead bodies of the victims, whose cadavers appeared to be brutally tortured before being shot with several rounds of high-powered firearms,” Martinez said.

Martinez claimed that the NPA had tried to recruit the two victims but they refused to join the rebel group.

“This is a clear evidence of NPAs continuous crimes against the Indigenous People. We condemn the said killing. Together with the PNP in their conduct of Law Enforcement Operation against the perpetrators, we will bring justice to their death,” said Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, chief of the Army’s 4th division.