2nd ID okay with CHR probe on Nasugbu clash

FILE: “We welcome CHR’s move to investigate said encounter. With all killed wearing their bandoleers and holding their M-16s, we are confident that all those who died in the encounter are NPAs,” 2nd ID commander Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno said in a statement Friday. (Photo: 2nd Infantry Jungle Fighter Division/Facebook)

MANILA — The Tanay-based 2nd Infantry Division (ID) has no problem with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) investigating the Nasugbu, Batangas encounter where 15 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed last November 28.

“We welcome CHR’s move to investigate said encounter. With all killed wearing their bandoleers and holding their M-16s, we are confident that all those who died in the encounter are NPAs,” 2nd ID commander Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno said in a statement Friday.

“We could only hope that said investigation would show results that are true, fair and not biased,” he added.

Rebel groups and their sympathizers have claimed that the encounter was not legitimate.

Troopers of the 202nd Infantry, along with supporting Army and police units, clashed with the NPAs during a series of gun battles in barangays Aga and Kaylaway at 8:30 p.m. on November 28.

The encounter was “intelligence driven” and stemmed from the Nov. 20 operation in Barangay Utod, which resulted in the capture of an NPA base and undetermined rebel casualties.

The seized NPA encampment is capable of housing and training a significant number of rebels.

All of the bodies of the NPA fatalities were recovered by troops, along with 12 high-powered firearms, consisting of 10 M-16 automatic rifles, an M-16 automatic rifle fitted with an M-203 grenade launcher, and an M-79.