SULU – The Commission on Human Rights have begun an investigation into the killing by army soldiers of 7 civilians accused by the military as members of the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province.
The military’s Western Mindanao Command insisted those killed were militants who clashed with troops in Patikul town on September 14. It said troops battled about 100 militants under Radulan Sahiron and Hajan Sawadjaan where 17 soldiers had been wounded in the fighting.
But families and relatives of slain villagers strongly denied the military’s allegations and said the victims were just civilians harvesting fruits from their own farm. A post on Facebook by Mahmur Arula (https://www.facebook.com/mahmur.arula/posts/2186590784957281) showed photos of those slain with their families grieving while villagers looked on. (See video)
Human rights investigators together with municipal and provincial officials led by Governor Toto Tan and Patikul Mayor Nasser Hayudini, and the police heard the testimonies of the victims’ families crying for justice.
Tan provided financial assistance to the families who vowed to pursue murder charges against those involved in the slaying of the villagers. The victims’ kin branded the killing as massacre.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said troops clashed with militants in Bakong village.
He said Sawadjaan was among those wounded in the fighting. “Based on the report of Joint Task Force Sulu headed by Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo, seven ASG members were killed, based on body count; and six others were wounded, including Sawadjaan, who was seriously hit in his stomach and lower extremities,” Besana said.
Besana said the fighting stopped after militants – whose leaders have pledged allegiance to ISIS – broke into smaller groups and fled. He said the wounded soldiers were brought to a military base in the capital town of Jolo. “Seventeen soldiers were slightly wounded during the encounter due to shrapnel (caused by explosions),” he said, adding, there could be more enemy casualties, citing intelligence report.
“Cadavers of the slain ASG members were also brought to the said hospital for forensic examination and proper disposition,” Besana added.
Soldiers also recovered an M16 automatic rifle and magazines and ammunition, including a bandolier and a cell phone left behind by militants.
Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said more soldiers were sent to the area to hunt down the militant. He praised the troops for the killings of militants. “I commend the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu for this recent accomplishment. All sorts of assistance will be provided to the battle casualties and our prayers are with them for their speedy recovery,” he said.
The Abu Sayyaf is fighting for the establishment of a caliphate in the troubled, but mineral-rich region of Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
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