THE ARMY has condemned the rebels’ attack in Agusan del Sur that killed two civilians and wounded three other non-combatants on Saturday.
The attack that also killed a soldier is a clear violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect to Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), which the communist group agreed with the Philippine government in 1998 in The Hague, Netherlands, said Lt. Col. Glenn Joy Aynera, the commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion (IB).
Guerillas attacked Sitio Sarog, Barangay San Isidro of Santiago, Agusan del Norte on Saturday at 5 a.m., seven hours after an earthquake hit the area.
Aynera said he sent his soldiers to the barangay after receiving reports that there were armed men conducting extortion activity in the area.
“There was a situation in that community that needed to be addressed,” Ayner said. “That’s why I have sent my soldiers to secure the people against these NPAs.”
Upon reaching the community at around 4:30 a.m., the troopers were able to talk with some locals to confirm the report.
But around 10 fully-armed NPAs, unmindful of the civilians in the area, indiscriminately opened fire.
Two civilians and one soldier were instantly killed and three other civilians were wounded in a 10-minute attack.
Guerillas attacked Sitio Sarog, Barangay San Isidro of Santiago, Agusan del Norte on Saturday at 5 a.m., seven hours after an earthquake hit the area.
Aynera said he sent his soldiers to the barangay after receiving reports that there were armed men conducting extortion activity in the area.
“There was a situation in that community that needed to be addressed,” Ayner said. “That’s why I have sent my soldiers to secure the people against these NPAs.”
Upon reaching the community at around 4:30 a.m., the troopers were able to talk with some locals to confirm the report.
But around 10 fully-armed NPAs, unmindful of the civilians in the area, indiscriminately opened fire.
Two civilians and one soldier were instantly killed and three other civilians were wounded in a 10-minute attack.
“We condemn their atrocious act that claimed the lives of two innocent civilians, and seriously wounding three others. We are also deeply saddened for the loss of one of our comrades,” he further said.
The communist groups under the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), including the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA, signed the CARHRIHL, in which they agreed “to affirm and apply the principles of international humanitarian law in order to protect the civilian population and individual civilians.”
Aynera said the agreement calls that “civilian population and civilians shall be distinguished from combatants and, together with their property, shall not be the object of attack.”
“They shall likewise be protected against indiscriminate strafing,” he said.
Aynera assured the public that they will “always continue to conduct peace and security operations to ensure the safety and security of the people in Agusan del Norte.”
Pursuit operation is ongoing to capture the perpetrators of the attack.
The NPA declared a ceasefire in the earthquake-hit Surigao del Sur and three towns of Agusan del Norte.
Santiago is not among the three towns but is in the boundary of Tubay and Jabonga, two of the three municipalities.
Another attack
In Laak, Compostela Valley on the same day, 60th IB troopers engaged undetermined number of NPAs guerillas in a 30-minute gunfight.
The communist groups under the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), including the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA, signed the CARHRIHL, in which they agreed “to affirm and apply the principles of international humanitarian law in order to protect the civilian population and individual civilians.”
Aynera said the agreement calls that “civilian population and civilians shall be distinguished from combatants and, together with their property, shall not be the object of attack.”
“They shall likewise be protected against indiscriminate strafing,” he said.
Aynera assured the public that they will “always continue to conduct peace and security operations to ensure the safety and security of the people in Agusan del Norte.”
Pursuit operation is ongoing to capture the perpetrators of the attack.
The NPA declared a ceasefire in the earthquake-hit Surigao del Sur and three towns of Agusan del Norte.
Santiago is not among the three towns but is in the boundary of Tubay and Jabonga, two of the three municipalities.
Another attack
In Laak, Compostela Valley on the same day, 60th IB troopers engaged undetermined number of NPAs guerillas in a 30-minute gunfight.
No soldier was hurt.
The attackers belong to the NPA’s Guerilla Front 34 and Pulang Bagani Company (PBC) 4.
The attackers belong to the NPA’s Guerilla Front 34 and Pulang Bagani Company (PBC) 4.
Meanwhile, two NPA amazons returned to the folds of the law after a community dialogue conducted by the troopers of 67th IB in Caraga, Davao Oriental on Friday.
Capt. Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of 10th Infantry Division, identified the two amazons as Ka Joy, 20, and Ka Rose, 17, and both members of Guerilla Front 15.
Soldiers of 67th IB were consulting with 150 displaced families temporarily housed in Caraga Municipal Gymnasium when the two NPA amazons surrendered.
The displaced families from Barangays Don Leon Balante and PM Sobrecarey of Caraga reportedly left their homes due to NPA presence in their communities.
Earlier, six NPA members returned to the folds of the law in Davao Oriental through the 67IB while two others submitted to the 73IB in Davao Occidental.
The displaced families from Barangays Don Leon Balante and PM Sobrecarey of Caraga reportedly left their homes due to NPA presence in their communities.
Earlier, six NPA members returned to the folds of the law in Davao Oriental through the 67IB while two others submitted to the 73IB in Davao Occidental.
The latest surrender count is now 10.
Maj. Gen Rafael Valencia, 10th ID commander, encouraged the NPA members to leave their group before the full brunt of military capabilities will catch up with them.
“The NPA members are just victims of the manipulation of their communist leaders,” he said.
Maj. Gen Rafael Valencia, 10th ID commander, encouraged the NPA members to leave their group before the full brunt of military capabilities will catch up with them.
“The NPA members are just victims of the manipulation of their communist leaders,” he said.
http://mindanaotimes.net/soldier-2-civilians-killed-in-npa-attack/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.