By CAPIZ – The family of slain farmer Tito Agudes, who was killed in an alleged ‘encounter,’ has strongly rejected the military’s claims that he was a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) and was involved in an encounter with state forces on February 26 at Brgy. Minan, Tapaz, Capiz.
According to a press statement released by the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, the individual killed was reported to be Tito Agudes, whom the military claimed was a member of the NPA. He was killed, while his nephew, Peter Agudes, and another companion were reportedly injured. Two high-powered firearms were also seized.
However, according to reports and statements from the victims’ family, the three were residents of Sitio Taroytoy, Brgy. Manica, Libacao, Aklan, and were farmers working near the border between Aklan and Capiz, primarily in the area now under the jurisdiction of Brgy. Minan, Tapaz, Capiz. Tito Agudes was also a Barangay Tanod in the said barangay.
Agudes’ relatives expressed their outrage, insisting that he was a peaceful civilian and not involved with any revolutionary group.
“Our uncle is not a rebel; he is just a civilian on his way to the fields when he was ambushed by the army. They couldn’t even recognize if he was a civilian before they ambushed him. No mercy at all. They had no chance to fight back. They were ambushed,” one of the victim’s nephews said in a Facebook post.
In a press statement, the Jose Percival Estocada, Jr. Command of the New People’s Army – Central Front, Panay (JPEC-NPA), denounced the ‘fake encounter’ between the revolutionary group and the Philippine Army.
The JPEC-NPA added that there are no active NPA fronts in the area where the alleged ‘encounter’ took place and that these are simply lies spread by the military to justify their crime against the locals.
“The military claimed that the victims were members of the NPA and planted fake evidence on the three victims, despite statements from locals and officials of the mentioned barangays confirming that the three were registered residents of the barangay,” the group said.
“When the family filed a complaint along with the barangay officials, the military claimed that the three were NPA supporters, which is why they were shot,” they added.
Additionally, the group stated that focused operations by the military, conducted under the 3rd ID Philippine Army, continue to endanger the peaceful livelihoods of indigenous farmers and communities in the rural areas of Central Panay.
JPEC-NPA calls on the public, especially LGUs and human rights defenders, to investigate the incident and help the affected families seek justice, as well as hold the military accountable for their actions. /PT
