AFP ready to punish soldiers liable for botanist's death

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to punish military personnel who are found to have committed errors that resulted in the death of a noted botanist and two others in Leyte last Monday.

“The important thing right now is we want the truth to prevail. Certainly, if our men have performed below par, then commensurate punishment will be given. We will see to it that punishments are given,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. told reporters via phone patch.

Botanist Leonardo Co was reportedly killed in crossfire between soldiers of the 19th Infantry Battalion and communist rebels in Kananga, Leyte. 

Also killed were Co’s local guide Julius Borromeo and Sofronio Cortez, a forest guard of the Lopez-owned Energy Development Corp. with which the botanist was working as a consultant.

Some sectors believe the three were shot after soldiers mistook them for New People’s Army (NPA) members.

Militant party-list Reps. Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis and Neri Colmenares and Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna have filed resolutions calling for a House inquiry into the incident.

Mabanta said the military is ready to face any congressional probe that would seek to uncover the truth behind the death of Co and his two companions.

“If there will be a congressional hearing we will welcome it and importantly whatever is required for us to include testimonies of our personnel, we will certainly oblige,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of the Philippines said its political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the government should conduct a joint investigation into the incident.

It also urged the victims’ families to file a complaint against the military before the Joint Monitoring Committee of the government and the NDF.