The Department of Justice (DOJ) has found sufficient basis to indict four alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) before Batangas Regional Trial Court for murder and violation of Republic Act No. 11479, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
The DOJ identified those who will be charged before the court as Isagani Isita, Junalice Arante-Isita, Mariano Bico, and Gilbert Orr.
“After evaluation of the evidence, the Panel of Prosecutors found sufficient evidence to hold respondents for trial,” the DOJ said, in a statement.
It said the four suspected NPA members were arrested on July 18, 2022 in Sitio Amatong, Barangay Ginhawa in Taysan, Batangas following an encounter with members of the Philippine Army (PA) assigned at Patrol Base San Marcelino of the Delta Company, 59th infantry Battalion.
“The attack resulted to injuries to one of the soldiers and led to the death of a civilian, a nine-year old child,” it said.
The DOJ stressed that the soldiers arrested the suspects and recovered from the site of the encounter various firearms, ammunition, explosives, and subversive materials.
“While it may appear that the murder victim was not the direct target of herein respondents and was just caught in the line of fire when the respondents fired upon the members of the Philippine Army, her death clearly was the result of the unlawful acts perpetrated by the respondents,” said the DOJ as it cited the resolution of the panel of prosecutors.
“Probable cause was likewise found for violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020,” it said.
It pointed out that the use of high-powered firearms “seriously endangered the lives of the members of the Philippine Army and consummated in injury and death” and “intended to cause a disproportionate amount of damage or harm of sufficient magnitude.”
“The acts of respondents were calculated to seriously undermine public safety and to create an atmosphere of fear,” it said.