Kuta Sang-an, Zamboanga del Sur – “We are not really demoralized, just only disappointed,” General Nehemias Pajarito, Commanding General of the Premier Division of the Philippine Army told the Media in a press conference conducted at the headquarters of the 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division, Camp Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on November 19, 2007.

Rowel Moñasque, 33 years old, was reportedly a regular member of the New People's Army for three years and  was listed in the Order of Battle by the military. Reports confirmed that he is also Deputy Secretary of Front Committee “KARA” of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).

Rowel who suffered a gun shot wound at his right knee during an encounter (read the article on what happened) and was brought by the operatives of the 53rd Infantry Battalion to the Hospital of the 1ID at Pulacan, Labangan for medical treatment. Moñasques was visited by the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICC) before he was released following an order of the court.

"The issues raised by them is a part of the propaganda by the enemy of the State to destroy our image in the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a whole and that is normal because we are not fighting here for the sake of war but we are fighting psychologically against their ideology," General Pajarito explained.

The First Infantry Division does not tolerate the wrongdoings or the misconduct of its soldiers as it adheres to the Law of Armed Conflict and International Humanitarian Law. In fact, Rowel Moñasque himself requested to be in the custody of the 1ID after the negotiation of his surrender was successfully conducted by our operatives after we have learned that he was wounded during the encounter by our troops on October 19, 2007 at Barangay Lucuan, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur, which resulted also in the death of one of our soldiers, General Pajarito added.

Rowel retracted all his sworn statements in the Provincial Prosecutor including his statement during the interview by the media that he was treated well while under custody by 1st Infantry Division minutes before his presentation to the court.

Balik-baril Program

“We did not file a case against Rowel because we want him to avail the benefits of the own-going program of the government which is the “Balik-baril program”. We were only outsmarted by them; we did not only satisfy the legal requirements needed in court and we have implemented some legal action in order that these will not happen again. We have not yet filed a case against Rowel; his liberty is part of his civil rights granted to him in the Writ of Amparo but that does not necessarily mean that he is free from criminal liabilities.” General Pajarito disclosed.