APRIL 6, 2026 — The Army is on the defensive after activists accused soldiers of abusing Charlize Cameron Garzon, the alleged NPA fighter nabbed in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. The military says the claims are baseless — and they’ve got photos to prove it.

Released images show Garzon smiling, eating fast food, clutching a prayer booklet, and even chatting with her family on a soldier’s phone. 

Brig. Gen. Melencio Ragudo of the 203rd Infantry Brigade said, “Government forces strictly adhere to the rules of engagement, international humanitarian law and human rights protocols.”

But human rights group Karapatan isn’t buying it, alleging Garzon was maltreated after her capture. The Army counters that she only suffered scratches and mosquito bites while fleeing through the forest.

Garzon’s arrest wasn’t just another countryside skirmish. She’s accused of involvement in the death of Army Capt. Dean Buen Oyando, killed in the March 29 encounter. Two other soldiers were wounded, one rushed to Metro Manila for treatment.

The military insists due process must be respected, urging the public to let the courts decide. Yet in a country scarred by decades of insurgency, every clash becomes a battle of narratives. The Army wants to project discipline and humanity. Activists demand accountability. 

For communities in Mindoro, the stakes are real. Trust in institutions, the credibility of human rights safeguards, and the fragile hope for peace all hang in the balance. The Army’s photos may soften the story, but skepticism lingers. 

In the age of viral posts, images can reassure — or be dismissed as propaganda.

Whose version do you believe?

(Image: 203rd Infantry "Bantay Kapayapaan" Brigade, Philippine Army | Facebook)