19 public security forces.”50 It was noted that “the paramilitary groups receive logistical support and acquiescence for their operations from some members of the National Army, National Police and, in some instances, from the DAS.”51 In fact, there accounts that they would wear police and army uniforms. It was also reported that members of the National Army “in some instances, directly participated with the paramilitary forces in committing atrocities and, in other instances, acted as accomplices or accessories.”52 75. This information indicated that, in 1996, the Self-Defense Forces of Magdalena Medio “would freely circulate” along the Medellín-Bogotá highway and in contiguous rural areas “where the presence of the military forces and of the police corps is permanent and conspicuous.”53 It was reported that said group would travel in trucks together with the military troops, flaunting their guns right in front of the local population.54 One witness stated that the military forces also collaborated with the paramilitary group in the recruitment of children.55 The IACHR notes that in one of his statements to the court, Ramón Isaza said that his son Omar and members of the Self-Defense Forces of Magdalena Medio “most of the time would always go around accompanied by the army.”56 In fact, he stated that “he used to send Omar to spoke with the army.”57 76. According to the statement of Sargent Luis Fernando Guerrero of Héroes del Barbacoas Battalion No. 42, who was assigned to La Piñuela military base, he witnessed on several occasions in 1995 the link between the National Army and the Self-Defense Forces of Magdalena Medio. As 50 Annex 1. Report No. 032. Sectional Directorate Technical Investigation Corps. Office of Information Analysis and Technical Support of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic. Intelligence Report on the self-defense groups, dated June 28, 1996. Annex to petitioners’ communication of October 5, 2000. 51 Annex 1. Report No. 032. Sectional Directorate Technical Investigation Corps. Office of Information Analysis and Technical Support of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic. Intelligence Report on the self-defense groups, dated June 28, 1996. Annex to petitioners’ communication of October 5, 2000. 52 Annex 1. Report No. 032. Sectional Directorate Technical Investigation Corps. Office of Information Analysis and Technical Support of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic. Intelligence Report on the self-defense groups, dated June 28, 1996. Annex to petitioners’ communication of October 5, 2000. 53 Annex 1. Report No. 032. Sectional Directorate Technical Investigation Corps. Office of Information Analysis and Technical Support of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic. Intelligence Report on the self-defense groups, dated June 28, 1996. Annex to petitioners’ communication of October 5, 2000. 54 Annex 1. Report No. 032. Sectional Directorate Technical Investigation Corps. Office of Information Analysis and Technical Support of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic. Intelligence Report on the self-defense groups, dated June 28, 1996. Annex to petitioners’ communication of October 5, 2000; Annex 21. Addendum to the complaint of Andrés Gallego Castaño to the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, Cocorná, dated October 25, 1996. Case File No. 233 UNDH. Book No. 1. Compact disk attached to petitioners’ communication of June 24, 2010; Annex 12. Statement of Florinda de Jesús Gallego Hernández to the National Unit of Human Rights Prosecutors Offices, dated April 14, 1998. Case File No. 233 UNDH. Book No. 2. Pages 210-213. Compact disk attached to petitioners’ communication of June 24, 2010. 55 Annex 22. Statement of Uriel Antonio Hernández Hernández to the Municipal Ombudsman of El Carmen de Viboral, dated July 31, 1996. Case File No. 008-10799-98. Office of the Disciplinary Matters Deputy Inspector for Human Rights. Public Ministry for Judicial Oversight. Pages 97-98. Compact disk attached to petitioners’ communication of July 12, 2010. 56 Annex 3. Initial statement on the facts given by Ramón Isaza Arango, to the Office of the Special Prosecutor attached to the National Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Unit, dated April 23, 2007. Annex to petitioners’ submission of May 7, 2007. 57 Annex 3. Initial statement on the facts given by Ramón Isaza Arango, to the Office of the Special Prosecutor attached to the National Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Unit, dated April 23, 2007. Annex to petitioners’ submission of May 7, 2007.