Military ‘vehemently denies’ killing peasant leader in Negros Occidental

The Philippine Army on Thursday "vehemently" denied accusations that the military was behind the killing of peasant leader Alberto Tecson.

"We vehemently deny the accusation or allegation na pinaparatang sa Philippine Army," Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson said in an interview on Balitanghali on Thursday.

"Base doon sa aking pananaliksik, sa mga unit na nandoon sa Negros, wala silang kinalaman dito sa pagkamatay ni Alberto Tecson and wala rin silang natatanggap na anumang complaint sa CHR (Commission on Human Rights) man o sa Karapatan as of the moment," Tiongson said.

He stated, however, that the Army was open for an investigation if there would be proof that the military was involved in the death of Tecson, who was killed in his home at Brgy. Bulado, Guihulngan City.

Armed elements reportedly from the Army's 79th Infantry Brigade were said to be looking for Alberto at this residence prior to the killing.

"Sa tingin ko po ang mga allegation na 'to ay, ito yung parati nilang pinaparatang sa Philippine Army bagamat walang kinalaman ang ating mga tropa. That's why inemphasize po natin diyan, na tayo po ay sumusunod sa international humanitarian law at rule of law," Tiongson said.

"At kung may kamalian ang ating tropa ay open po tayo sa kahit anong imbestigasyon at kung sila po ay mapatunayan na nagkasala ay pinapatawan po sila ng kaukulang punishment. May mga personnel po tayo na napatawan ng punishment sa kamalian," Tiongson continued.

Regardless of the accusation, the Army condemned Tecson's killing and said they would leave the investigation in the hands of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"Kinokondena natin itong mga pamamaslang o pamamatay sa mga pangyayari doon at yung imbestigasyon ay pinapaubaya po natin sa Philippine National Police and we fully support the PNP, to our unit there, the 303rd Brigade, and the 79th Infantry Battalion," Tiongson remarked.

The Army has yet to find evidence that Tecson joined the New People's Army before his demise, as rumored. Suspects in the killings have yet to be arrested.

"Sa ngayon po wala pa. Although tuloy-tuloy ang efforts natin upang masuportahan yung page-enforce ng batas," Tiongson said.

Lorena Tecson and Maria Lou Alangilan of the Kahugpongan Alang sa Ugma sa Gamay nga Mag-uuma (KAUGMAON) on Thursday filed a complaint at the CHR regarding the death of Tecson.

Tecson was the chairperson of Pamalakaya-Guihulngan and leader of the Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma ng Mangingisda sa Bulado (NaMaBu) before he was allegedly killed as part of the administration's counter-insurgency program. — Rie Takumi/MDM, GMA News