MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. on Friday reminded everyone that firing against government troops automatically makes the attacker a “combatant” which legitimizes counter action from soldiers.
His clarification came amid backlashes to the military following its controversial operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental that resulted in 19 deaths of 14 individuals believed to be members of the NPA sling with some identified leaders. Apart from the casualties, multiple high-powered firearms were also confiscated - a confirmation, the AFP says, of the legitimacy of their intelligence report.
“Once you start fighting, firing against government forces then, you are a combatant and of course kasama ka sa maaring maging casualties (you can be a casualty),” Brawner told reporters during a visit to Cebu.
The Philippine Army (PA) clarified that the clash was an “intelligence-driven legitimate armed encounter” from verified civilian reports. It also denied that it was an attack on civilians and that residents were safely evacuated to safer grounds before government troops rained gunshots on the rebels.
Despite the PA’s series of clarifications, various groups have expressed condemnation over the clash even calling it a “massacre” of civilians because of deaths of youth leaders “confirmed” by institutions they belong to.
