Army: Wounded woman a rebel
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has debunked the claim of militant group Panay Alliance-Karapatan that the woman wounded during the armed encounter between government troopers and the New People’s Army last weekend was a civilian.
The 3rd ID said in a statement that Annie Bangud-Consigo is a certified NPA combatant, not a civilian caught in a cross fire.
In a statement, Reylan Vergara, Panay Alliance-Karapatan secretary general, said civilians like Consigo are “protected by international humanitarian laws and should be spared from harm even during military operations.”
However, 3rd ID spokesman First Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas said Panay Alliance-Karapatan’s claim is a “vain attempt to pull the wool over the people’s eyes.”
He said Consigo was found along with a slain NPA rebel during an encounter in Capiz on December 4.
Posadas said found near Consigo were several items that included an M1 Garand with 15 magazine clips, a home-made magazine-fed shotgun, two bandoleers, and nine combat packs, among others.
“Seeing her in that condition, our troops humanely gave her first aid and assisted her until she could be given proper medical treatment in Roxas City,” he added.
Posadas said it is up to Consigo to prove her innocence both in the court of law and in the court of public opinion.
“If Karapatan is sincere in helping clear her name then Karapatan should assist her through proper and legal means,” he said.*
