Soldiers in Quezon ‘rubout’ will also face military court

A member of the NBI fornensic team examines one of the bullet riddled SUV at the Municipal Police Station in Atimonan, Quezon where 13 people were killed in an alleged ‘shootout’ with police and military at a checkpoint last January 6.INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines – Soldiers involved in the alleged rubout in Atimonan, Quezon which left 13 people dead will also face the military court following the recommendation of the Department of Justice to file multiple charges against them and other 21 members of the Philippine National Police.

The military officers involved will face court martial proceedings, while the enlisted personnel might undergo “summary dismissal procedures” depending on the results of the investigation, Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman told reporters in a press briefing Wednesday.

AFP personnel to be charged with multiple murder as recommended by the DOJ are Lt. Col. Monico Abang, the battalion commander, Captain Erwin Macalinao, 1st Lt. Rico Tagure, Technical Sgt. Melanio Balauitan, Cpl. Clark Magusara, Pfc. Michael Franco, Pfc. Kirby-Tam Coronel, Pfc. Alvin Roque Pabon, Pfc. Ricky Jay Borja, Pfc. Melvin Lumalang, Pfc. Gil Gallego, Pvt. Marc Zaldy Docdoc, Pvt. Emergin Barrete and Pvt. Michard Mangao.

The soldiers have remained restricted to barracks since the incident.

“The AFP fully trusts our justice system and we respect and abide by the decision that has been made and the AFP personalities involved will be subjected to military justice system so in this connection, appropriate charges will be filed against them with observance to the due process,” Burgos said.

He reiterated that the soldiers will be given an opportunity to air their side.