“Monster in the uniformed state security forces again victimized civilians”

Press Statement

Reference:  Vince Casillihan

                   Spokesperson, Karapatan-Bicol.

“Monster in the uniformed state security forces again victimized civilians”

The monster in the uniformed state security forces again victimized civilians whom they falsely tagged   as rebels in an attempt to cover up a crime committed in violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Human Rights Law.   Henry C. Orbina and Bryan  Orbina Gallega, both employees of BMH Manpower Services working as nuts receivers to  client company, PeterPaul Philippine Corporation in Sorsogon  City, were fired upon by elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) detailed at the  PNP Outpost in Cabid-an, this city last January 31, 2014.

                Henry C. Orbina died instantly due to multiple gunshot wounds.   Bryan Gallega was arrested, detained, and subsequently charged with two trumped-up cases at the Prosecution Service Office on allegation that a grenade and a .45 Cal. pistol were found in his possession.

                Witnesses, however, belie the accusations. Witnesses told Karapatan that immediately after the gunfire subsided, police officers entered the house where Bryan took temporary refuge, , ascertained the number of people inside, and asked for their names. Then they took and searched Bryan’s bag but nothing illegal was found.  The police officers, however, brought Bryan to the PNP substation in Cabid-an.

                At around 7:00 PM of same date, the victim was taken out of his detention cell purportedly for ballistic test.  But before he was able to enter the PNP mobile car, he heard one of the police officers saying, “patayin na ‘yan.”  Then a piece of black clothe was placed on his head. Trembling in fear, he was shouting that he was innocent and walked back to the PNP substation.

                To justify the arrest, PNP-Sorsogon City filed two trumped-up cases against Bryan Gallega for violation of the Comprehensive Law on firearms and Ammunition (RA 1059)  and violation of Explosive Law (RA 9516).  Both the Sorsogon PNP and the 903^rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army through its commanding officer, Col. Kakilala are in chorus in  accusing the victims as  NPA rebels despite the certification to the contrary by the BMH Manpower Services.

                Karapatan-Bicol denounces and condemns in the strongest terms possible this act of impunity committed by State security forces in systematic violation of human rights and international humanitarian laws, a bloody trade mark of Oplan Bayanihan (OPB), the counter-insurgency program of the US-Aquino Regime ably sponsored and supported by the Imperialist US in consonance to the Us Counter-Insurgency Guide of 2009.

                Justice for Henry C. Orbina and Bryan O. Gallega and all victims of human rights violations.

End Impunity!

Resist Oplan Bayanihan of the Aquino administration!