Abra clash aftermath: Remains of slain ‘rebels’ returned to kin

BAGUIO CITY — The Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division (5ID) on Friday announced that two families have received the remains of relatives killed in an August 4 armed encounter in Abra, as a human rights group alleged that the turnover was delayed for hours and marred by harassment and bureaucratic obstacles. In a statement, the 5ID said the remains were turned over to the families on Friday, August 11. “We are committed to ensuring that all parties involved are given fair treatment and that the investigation into the incident is conducted thoroughly and impartially,” it said. Karapatan, a human rights group, however, claimed that the families had to wait for several weeks and faced interrogation and intimidation from military personnel before they could claim the bodies. “The military’s delay in returning the remains is a cruel act that inflicts further pain and suffering on the grieving families,” said Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay. Palabay added that the military’s actions were a clear violation of the families’ right to dignity and due process. “We demand a thorough and independent investigation into the incident and that those responsible for the delay and harassment be held accountable,” she said. Abra is a mountainous province in the Cordillera Administrative Region, which has been a hotbed of communist insurgency in the past. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo