Members of the 2nd Commando Company, photographed and filmed firing Galil rifles during the violent day from Thursday 15 in ayacuchobelong to the Second Infantry Brigade based in Huamanga, whose general commander is Brigadier General EP Jesús Vera Ipenza.
In turn, this brigade reports directly to the Vraem Special Command (CEVRAEM), under the command of the general commander, Major General EP Miguel Gonzales Bojórquez.
According to reports from the Ayacucho Regional Hospital, on Thursday 8 people died from projectile impacts of a firearm, and there are 15 others who were seriously injured from the same cause.
All the victims were hit in areas where the elements of the Commando Company #2. The images captured by the media and citizens accredit it.
In the places where members of the Army are seen using Galil 5.56 x 45 rifles against the demonstrators, no one else is seen shooting.
The Regulation of Legislative Decree No. 1095, which establishes the rules for the employment and use of force by the armed forcespublished on March 15, 2020, specifically states that in the context of a state of emergency it is prohibited to use firearms at will.
“Armed Forces personnel may use firearms against people when strictly necessary, and only when less extreme measures are insufficient or inadequate,” says article 26.1 of the regulation.
And he points out some of the situations in which the use of a firearm could be resorted to:
-In self-defense or that of other people in case of danger to life.
-When a situation of serious threat to life occurs during the commission of a serious crime.
-When there is danger of death when a person resists being intervened.
-When the escape of a detainee endangers the life of a person.
Article 26.2 is much more specific: “In any case, it is prohibited to shoot indiscriminately.”
The images captured during the day of Thursday the 15th clearly confirm that the troops of the No. 2 Commando Company outnumbered and fired the protesters. It is also appreciated that military personnel fire in contexts other than those indicated in the Regulations for the Use of Force (RUF).
Despite the seriousness of the events in Ayacucho, the Congressional Defense Commission, chaired by legislator Diego Bazán Calderón (Avanza País), has not taken the initiative to investigate the alleged excesses committed by members of the Company Command No. 2 ayacucho.
Diego Bazán did not respond to the communications from this newspaper, but the vice-presidency of the Defense Commission, the Fujimorista Tania Ramírez García, did. Ramírez confirmed that there is no intention to determine those responsible for the 8 deaths and 15 wounded by firearms.
According to the RUF, the highest authority in situations of state of emergency, “the line of command is the head of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces (Major General EP Manuel Gómez de la Torre Araníbar), the Minister of Defense (Alberto Otárola Peñaranda) and the President of the Republic (Dina Boluarte Zegarra)”.
“We do not have an agenda to invite the head of the Joint Command or the Defense Minister,” the vice president of the Defense Commission informed this newspaper.
“We do not consider it necessary because they (the military) are taking actions in accordance with the events, complying with all the corresponding legal procedures,” explained legislator Tania Ramírez.
Infographic – The Republic
