Fake news conceal military infighting
THE MILITARY AND police are desperately concealing intense infighting and demoralization among their ranks by peddling fake news. In Kalinga, Abra and Ifugao, such news were used as a veil to conceal several gunfights between soldiers, CAFGU, and police elements.
On August 15, two CAFGU elements were killed after being shot by 24th IB soldiers inside their camp at Sitio Mong-ol, Barangay Maguyepyep, Sallapadan, Abra. The incident was caused by a scuffle over a golden kuhol (snail) dish. To save face, 24th IB officials ordered to fabricate a fake encounter and make it appear that their troopers were attacked by the New People’s Army (NPA).
Col. Henry Doyaoen of the 503rd IBde also peddled fake news after a misencounter between CAFGU and 50th IB troopers in Kalinga on March 20. The incident took place along the boundary of barangay Buaya and Mabaca in Balbalan where the said units were then conducting their respective operations. A soldier was killed during the misencounter. To save face, the military peddled that there was an encounter between the NPA and AFP, and that they were able to confiscate a rifle.
An CAFGU element was also killed by operating troopers of the 50th IB in Barangay Sakpil, Conner, Apayao. The said CAFGU was shot by soldiers while fetching water outside their camp. On September 29, two police operatives were shot shot by their fellow police inside the camp of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion in Banaue, Ifugao.