A real tragedy – who do you believe?
A really terrible thing happened over the weekend, but I didn’t really know about it until today. Since reading about the event, I can’t really get it out of my mind! This morning, I was doing my regular check of the news from among a regular group of news feeds that I read each morning. Mindanews had a really interesting article about a battle between the NPA (New People’s Army – a Communist Group) and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) that occurred in the Compostela Valley on Saturday morning, March 31.
According to Carol Arguillas of Mindanews, what happened was that a group of NPA rebels showed up in an area, and asked an old man if they could cook some food at his house, and also use some of his pots and pans to go to the river and bathe there. The old man says that he felt that he had no choice but to say it was OK, the men were armed after all. Soon after the group of bandits went to the river to have a bath, the man’s granddaughter grabbed some soap and other supplies and headed down to the river to bathe as well. You know how kids are, they love water, after all. Well, while everybody was bathing in the river, a group of AFP soldiers on patrol spotted them, saw weapons and opened fire on them. In the end, the 9 year old girl laid dead. I encourage you to go read the entire article.
The Army claims that the girl was armed and firing at them with an M16 rifle. Thing is, though, the girl was no taller than the rifle itself! And, those rifles are not light either. How can a 9 year old girl (remember too, kids are smaller here than abroad – a 9 year old Filipino is like the size of a 6 year old American) hold and fire an M16? I don’t believe that it would be possible for this to happen. So, in addition to claiming that the girl was firing at them, the AFP also says that the girl was an NPA “Child Soldier,” a charge that is strongly denied by the family.
I can’t really say what actually happened on this event. I can’t really get it out of my mind, what if it had happened to one of my kids? My personal belief is that the charges that the AFP is leveling are not all that believable. What do you think?
It is so awful to hear what this once peaceful world we lived in is becoming.
Actually, the world was never peaceful with humans on it.
My deepest sympathy to the family and my deepest hate to the one who murdered her.
Although this truly is a sad story, it isn’t surprising.
I dont think i’ll ever understand how someone could possibly kill and destroy so many families.
The people who do it as a job, rebellion etc, are all MONSTERS.
. . . and there’s nothing heroic about wars.
Hey Michael- tnx for ur reply, i will definitely check a copy “The Departed” is that right?
Well, i’m not a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, but seems this movie is great.
My type is kinda Alpaccino, Morgan Freeman movie. And so i’m stuck up w/ 24 series.
Oh, i like action movie too having been used to real one at Sulu, he he he. Let’s say, the like of Jason Stathman, Johny Depp, Brad Pitt, ooops dont forget Robin Padilla.
Ok dude, tnx alot have a good day!
You got to check the movie out, Amanda. I have always been a fan of Leonardo DiCarpio, and Matt Damon. It is nominated for the best movie of the year at the Oscars.
Michael- Hmmm, i think i missed that movie. i should check out a copy, is it action? who is the main character in the movie?
Nway, regarding ur comments about our respected defense forces, i do agree on that. But anyhow, we have the “Balikatan” training now and i’m sure they will become more skilled in their field. Lets just hope that tragedy like this would never happen again.
But you know, the police and military is perfect target for organize crimes. They see the need to infiltrate the police and military. Maybe, I’m watching to many movies such as mafias, and gangster movies. Just like the movie the Departed. I do not know. I’m just a softie for Leo’s movie.
Hi Carl, Amanda and Michael – I agree with each of your thoughts. Michael, your assessment is spot on!
Above all, to be Sincere & Honest!
The job of a soldier is very critical. There is no room for mistake. You are only good from your last achievement. It is important to try their very best at all times. Needs detail oriented, no complacency, passion, and profesionalism to prevent tragedy.
I wonder how long to trained a 9 yr. old filipina girl in handling gun? How long before she become hard, strong & brave to combat enemy?
Pardon my ignorance, it’s just my common sense!
Love the Philippines, love the people but when both sides where armed to the teeth tragedy happens.
Wierd things happen everyday. It does not matter how perfect you are. Anybody will make mistake at anytime. Roger Federer is a very good tennis player. He is almost unbeatable. From time to time, somebody will throw off his game. Nobody can win or be perfect all the time. I will just pray for her graces and blessings. So, she may rest in peace and in good hands.
Hi Michael – Even for a boy, I probably wouldn’t believe… but I am a softie for kids, so I could be wrong!
Hi Krista – Good observation about using the girl as a watcher. I hadn’t thought of that.
Hi Bob! It’s sad to see a lot of bad news happened in this country Philippines. In my opinion bob this little girl wasn’t firing the M-16 riffle but most likely I think she was used by the NPA as a watcher of their weapons that was put aside while the NPA were taking a bathe or swimming in the river. I believed many children now are involved with NPA activities. They used children as a spy in the surrounding’s, and some other activities that the NPA want them to do. Children aren’t matured enough to think what’s wrong and what’s right. I tell you it’s easy for the small kids and young ones to poison their mind and thinking because they didn’t know what will happen to them without the proper guidance. Sad, Sad, sad I believed the AFP did a mistake of firing this little girl. However, they just fired the wrong one but not the real NPA and they have just successfully fled from the battle against AFP. It would be better if the AFP will say that the little girl was accidentally hit by the bullet due to the circumstances she was in the same location where the rebels are.
Bob, I still wonder. how heavy is that M-16 rifle compare to two(2)containers fully loaded with waters? I grew up poor, when I was at the same age of that girl I carried heavy things in my whole life. If you know I couldn’t carry one container of water because I could not balance to my other side so I had to carry 2 containers that I could balanced it. Another thing, I used to carry banana logs when I was just a kid like that 9 yr old. I used the banana log to feed my pigs in that way I can make money because when my pigs grow up I can sale them to the market and a big help too! to my parents they used the money for our daily needs in order to survive. Imagine! when I carry the banana logs it was taller than me, and another taller than me is the pestle which I used to pound my chap banana log into the mortar.Well, I ‘m just wondering if I was able to use that heavy pestle to pound the chap banana I think I am able too! to fire M-16 riffle if isn’t heavy as 2 containers of water. I am a girl too but now a woman. For me it’s very sad situation to see children that are now victims with rebels/NPA activities. I am happy I grew up with a wonderful parents though we’re poor but they give me proper guidance.
If it is a boy, I would probably believe. However, it is a girl.
Hi Luanne, Amanda, Robert and Macky – I agree with the majority here – the story of the AFP seems lacks credibility. Even if she were capable of handling the rifle, if the girl was bathing in the river, why couldn’t they have snuck up from behind and apprehended her, if they really thought she was a rebel?
I believe that in the heat of fire she was killed accidentally, and the story about her being an NPA rebel is just cover.
Anyway, the matter will probably never be resolved to everybody’s satisfaction.
It’s difficult to know the full details, but the family’s story feels authentic. I can see that happening.
The reason for my skepticism on the Army’s claim is that every bit of news nowadays feel more like propaganda than factual. To protect their own hide. If there where admissions of honest mistakes, I’d be inclined to believe them. But it seems every news statement by the AFP feels unrealistic and too rosy in their part ( their goal is to end the insurgency in 2 year — year 1 is almost over).
The NPA are no guilty about false statements (and crimes, i.e. land mines), but they are a ragtag insurgency. I expect the AFP to be more honest and professional since they represent the establishment, but this is not so. They’re supposed to be the good guys for chrissake.
But really, who are we kidding? we all know about the corrupt and crooked dealings of some military men (the abu sayaff/hospital debacle, corrupt generals, UN reports….geez, I can go on). We know this is true. We can see it in our society’s reaction to all this. Indifference. Just another story in the paper. They all seem to merge, these sad news. There is no angry reaction because people are resigned with the fact that these things happen in the country. That’s the cold truth.
The 9 year old girl’s cruel fate is to be but another statistic in this decades long conflict. Now to use her as a prop for more propaganda? It’s infuriating but sadly, I was not surprised. What makes it worse is that she isn’t the first and won’t be the last.
This man’s daughter is dead. A child. She was real, breathing person . Let her rest in peace.
Let’s not compare a teens in Iraq w/ a 9 yr.old filipina girl? nah!
The situation in Iraq or even in Palestine are different, they are at war now. And It is their duties regardless of religions, sex & ages to defend their lands, their futures. If you look at Iraq now or even in Gaza, what you think is the kind of futures for the kids? A palestinian couldnt even travel anywhere due to lack of proper documents, they dont have passport, they are stateless, no identity, no nationality. Let’s not twist the subjects into Iraq war or Gaza conflicts. I am not in position to an open debate regarding this issues. The bottom line is a 9 yr. old girl was mistakenly gunned down by the soldiers and on top of that they claimed that she was a militants. I have a 9 yr. & 10 yr. old daughter and they are even scared from light & thunder.
yup! i dont always believe in media as i dont believe the armies claims in the news above. That is only my opinion, and i respect yours.
Cheers
Dont kid yourself. The m-16 is a very lightweight weapon. Dont think a kid can operate one? Just look back at Vietnam or go to Africa or central america. Communist love to use kids for propaganda. In their eyes nothing better than a dead child. The muslims do it also. Just look at Iraq or Gaza. I remember one event in Iraq where a group of teens got into a shootout with our forces and 8 of them got killed. the media was seen removing the weapons from the scene before taking their pictures. But they was filmed doing it so their hit piece went to the crapper fast. Dont believe everything the media says. They have their own agenda.
Its a lie, a BIG lie! why can’t they just admit their mistakes? as simple as that! maybe the girl’s family would have forgive them at least and easily accept the facts that she ‘s dead. But to accuse the girl as an NPA and firing an M16 rifle on them? Well that’s b***s***!
And its really non-sense. I cant believe that the AFP has this level of mentality, no wonder that peace in my homeland is impossible to attain.
Wake up guys! we are in the 20th century now…booooooh.
No, I don’t believe it either… sigh. This certainly doesn’t do much for gaining support against NPA terrorism. Why can’t they just be terribly sorry and deeply grieved that they accidently killed a child while attacking armed terrorists at the river?