Army forms task force to disband private armed groups

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 14 (PNA) – The Philippine Army has created the “Task Force Calbayog” in the bid to dismantle private armed groups (PAGS) in the city and nearby towns.

Col. Mario Lacurom, commander of the Army’s 803rd brigade, said their central command has ordered for the creation of new task force after the spate of killings of village officials and political leaders this month.

“Army troops has been deployed this week to different areas of the first congressional district of Samar with the primary mission to maintain peace and order in the area and to disarm, arrest all lawless elements such as the private armed groups,” Lacurom said

Records from the Calbayog city police office show that just in the first week of September 2016, six village officials and political leaders were shot to death by unidentified private armies.

Village chief Darwin Tan of Payahan village was the latest victim. He was murdered Sept. 9 while he was about to send his son to school.

“Private armies commit serious human rights violations against those perceived critics and political opponents perpetuating a climate of fear and repression,” Lacurom added.

The army confirmed that there are still splinter groups operating in the interior villages of Samar province.

And according to army reports, these groups cannot operate without the support of politicians.

Among the splintered groups are known as Montealto, Montealto-Belleza, Montealto-Moloboco, Montealto-Pasacas, Yrasga and Genesis Oquendo.

On Tuesday, Philippine National Police chief Director General Dela Rosa directed Samar police provincial director Sr. Supt. Elmer Pelobello to disband all private armies who are allegedly behind the recent killings of village officials and private armies. (PNA)
RMA/SQM/JAZMIN BONIFACIO/EGR