Report: AFP ready to apologize for death of girl, 9

After insisting the nine-year-old girl killed in an encounter in Compostela Valley last March 31 was a communist "child soldier," the military in the area said it is "ready to apologize" if it is proven wrong. Online newspaper MindaNews (www.mindanews.com) reported that Brig. Gen. Carlos Holganza, head of the Army's 1001st Infantry Brigade, relayed this in a text message Friday. Holganza's troops had claimed Grecil Galacio, 9, who died during an encounter between government forces and the New People's Army in Purok 6, Barangay Kahayag, New Bataan, Compostela Valley, was a "child soldier" of the NPA. The MindaNews report said Holganza admitted at a government-sponsored media forum Friday that he was inclined to believe that Grecil was not a child soldier, after the military conducted its investigation. But he stressed he will only apologize if other minor details would be clarified further, including his doubt on the background of Gregorio Galacio, the victim's father. He said that the initial report culled from the village chief was that she was 12 years old, which, he said, matched the reported age of minors recruited by the communists to the NPA. Citing information reaching him, he said troops reported that Grecil was found holding a rifle while comfortably mingling with the armed men in the area of contact. Holganza questioned the ease that the girl was seen when she was spotted among the armed men. "Why was she not afraid of them?" he asked. He also doubted why Grecil's father easily allowed her daughter to mingle with the armed men. He said Galacio did not tell the truth about the NPA's alleged frequent passing in their area. He said they found well-placed firearms and "subversive" materials in Galacio's house. The NPA, Holganza added, has made a circus of the situation that is why they went out to clarify what happened to the public. He said they are holding on to the apology amid speculations that Grecil was really a child soldier and her father was a member of the New Peoples Army. Holganza said the military was willing to apologize but they have to take time to probe further. He clarified though, that the military higher command has the last word on the matter. He told reporters they were sure the NPA in the region has recruited minors for combat duties and showed confiscated photo grabs allegedly taken from a rebel camp of a boy holding a gun beside an adult. He said minors could be at least 25 percent of their forces. Also, he said the troops will hesitate to shoot a child soldier when faced with a situation. "But if one is being fired upon, when life is in danger, he has to shoot back," he said. - GMANews.TV