Ceremonial Turnover: Masking new “Palparan” under Aquino regime

Ceremonial Turnover: Masking new “Palparan” under Aquino regime

August 18, 2014

Reference: Vince Casilihan

Spokesperson Karapatan-Bikol

During the ceremonial turnover of rifles at Camp Aguinaldo, the incumbent Lord of Butchers blessed his dark army with more power. Indeed, it is now undeniable: the different face of Aquino regime, and its difference from the face of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Army under counter insurgency program.

Retired Major General Palparan’s ruthless legacy is strengthened, armed with high-quality battle equipment and prioritized by BS Aquino III. It is like “take these, we will train armies stronger than Palparan,” Vince Casilihan of Karapatan Bikol said.

Under Aquino’s four years in power, Karapatan-Bicol documented 373 incidents, 1,424 cases of human rights violations in Bicol region. These violations have attacked 16, 240 individuals, 50 of whom are victims of extrajudicial killings.

Under his watch also since he assumed the highest post in the land last June 30, 2010, there are four massacres recorded in the region.

According to Karapatan-Bicol there were 17 persons killed in four massacres, two in the seventeen fatalities were minors. The massacres were committed in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and in Masbate.

The Mobo Massacre happened on September 7, 2010 in Sitio Irong-Irong between the boundary of Mapuyo and Mabuhay, Mobo, Masbate. The suspects were the elements of 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Army based in Armeña, Uson, Masbate.The victims were  Vicente Flores, 41 years old, Richard Oliva, 44 years old, Jonathan Monacillo, 21, years old and Melecio Monacillo.

Villadima Massacre happened last February 4, 2011 in Villadima, Libmanan, Camarines Sur . The victims were  Pedrito Bico, 54,Christian Bico, 28, Arman Queto 34 years old, Cipriano Gamier, 35 years old, Fernando Lopez, Tiolo Corral.

Mancera Massacre happened last February 25, 2013 in Sitio Mapatong, Malaya, Labo, Camarines Norte. The victims were identified as Benjamin Mancera, 54 years old, Michael 10 years old and Richard Mancera, 7 years old.

The victims in the Gata Massacre are Julio Rivera Lubiano, 31 years old, Rene Rivera Lubiano, 28 years old, Salem Elpa Virtus, 24 years old and Jessie Altamera Brondia, 35 years old. 

The massacre of four local gold panners in the Sitio of Pawikan, Barangay Gata, Lahuy Island, Caramoan, Camarines Sur last March 22, are additional figures of crime in the region committed by the state against civilians under Aquino.

The Filipinos need basic social services, not guns. “They only use that to kill them ,” Vince Casilihan stated. “The mercenary reactionary and fascist orientation of the AFP under Aquino should be the one be killed”.

The fundamental buttress in perpetuating power is intensified under Aquino according to Vince Casilihan. The new face of Gloria’s Oplan Bantay Laya under Aquino’s counter insurgency program tagged Oplan Bayanihan bloats human rights violations not only in Bicol region.

The brutal counter-insurgency campaign in the region must put to end with stronger protest. We will be more vigilant for the new “Palparan” face targeting the welfare of the people.