The Department of Justice will file charges against several alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for the death of a nine-year-old civilian in Batangas.
In a resolution released on December 27, respondents Isagani Isita, Junalice Arante-Isita, Mariano Bico, Gilbert Orr, and two others with aliases Joey/Elon/Edel/Analinda/Jorel/Jonas and Ching/Marcel/Allen/Jane/Daniel were indicted for murder and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The DOJ said the information will be filed at the Regional Trial Court of Batangas.
According to the DOJ, the case stemmed from the encounter at Barangay Ginhawa, Batangas on July 18 which led to the death of a nine-year-old civilian and the injury of a soldier.
“After evaluation of the evidence, the Panel of Prosecutors found sufficient evidence to hold respondents for trial,” it said in a press briefer.
“While it may appear that the murder victim was not the direct target of herein respondents and was just caught in the line of fire when the respondents fired upon members of the Philippine Army, her death clearly was the result of the unlawful acts perpetrated by the respondents,” it added.
The DOJ said the respondents were armed with shotguns, M16 rifles and high-powered firearms, bullets, and improvised blasting machines.
“Clearly, respondents’ use of high-powered firearms seriously endangered the lives of the members of the Philippine Army and consummated in injury and death,” it said.
The respondents were identified to be members of the sub-regional military area-4C, Southern Tagalog regional party committee, according to the DOJ.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
DOJ indicts alleged CPP-NPA members for death of 9-year-old
Source: Balita News
0 Comments