Army denies involvement in Dutch NGO worker’s slay

Wilhelm Geertman (3rd from left), a Dutch NGO worker, killed in his office in Angeles, Pampanga, Tuesday by a lone gunman. Activist group Bayan has condemned the killing and calls for swift justice. Photo courtesy of Bayan

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Army on Wednesday denied allegations that it was involved in the death of a Dutch missionary reportedly assisting farm workers at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.

“That is an irresponsible accusation which is not based on evidence,” Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said in a statement.

“If they have proofs that our soldiers are behind this killing, we will not hesitate to let the accused soldiers answer the charges in a court of law,” Cabunoc said.

Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya chairman and Anakpawis partylist vice chairman, was quoted in a report as saying that the latest killing was part of the military’s Oplan Bayanihan, a campaign plan against insurgency.

He added that the Dutch man was killed because of his “advocacy for genuine land reform, rural empowerment and social justice.”

William Geertman, 67, executive director of the Alay Bayan Inc. (ABI), was shot in the back by two unidentified men inside his office in L&S Subdivision, in Telebastagan village, Angeles City, Tuesday noon.

The ABI is an affiliate of the Alyansang Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luzon, the head unit of Alyansang Manggagawang Bukid ng Asyenda Luisita.

Meanwhile, the Army has also reiterated its primacy for human rights protection in implementing Oplan Bayanihan.

“Extrajudicial killing is not practiced by our soldiers,” Cabunoc said. “We join the efforts of all human rights advocates to stop all these extra-legal killings, including those summary executions owned up by the NPA’s death squad, the Special Partisan Unit.”

He said human rights protection is one of the primary advocacies of soldiers in carrying out Bayanihan activities.