The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) – Visayas Command on Monday denied allegations of “massacre” and “torture” in their campaigns in Bilar, Bohol.
Authorities said the operations neutralized five alleged communist rebels last Friday.
PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said that the incident was a “legitimate encounter” by the police force in the area.
“In fact, it was very unfortunate that one of our police personnel died, and one was wounded. Maybe that seems too much if it will sacrifice one life or one personnel and wounding another one just to draw an encounter as what they are claiming,” the PNP chief said.
“Nevertheless, if there are complaints, we are open for investigation. But based on the report from our lower units, it’s a legitimate encounter,” Acorda added.
A statement from AFP Visayas Command (Viscom) chief, Lieutenant General Benedict Arevalo said that the accusations are all but “propaganda.”
“We will not dignify their propaganda anymore, they can say what they want,” Arevalo told reporters.
“Nothing new, they are not saying anything new. They say that to all the things that are happening. We are not hearing anything new from what they are saying. They’ve been saying that in all the operations,” he added.
The Army official also said that the military is open to any investigation regarding the matter.
“That’s their right to call for an investigation they can say anything,” Arevalo said.
The AFP has yet to release an official statement regarding the alleged incident of torture and massacre by the military which is being claimed by the militant groups.