NPA terror attacks harm 471 since 2010

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – In the spirit of Bayanihan, the Philippine Army is geared on protecting the Filipino people and defending the nation with other stakeholders on equal foot.  However, with the deception of NPA rebels, the fight for peace and development is hindered and prevented.

In the recent NPA atrocity last October 21, 2013, Monday, personnel of the 38th Infantry Battalion were on their way to Barangay Bacong, Tulunan, North Cotabato to distribute the subsistence allowance of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGUs) when members of the criminal armed group New People’s Army treacherously detonated a landmine that instantly rendered the personnel of 38th Infantry Battalion incapable to fight in Sitio Manggi, Barangay Bituan, Tulunan, North Cotabato, one of the declared peace zones in Tulunan, at around 9:10 in the morning.  However, the NPA even peppered our wounded troops with bullets even on their faces.

The same atrocity occurred at Purok 2, Barangay Luna Norte, Makilala at about 11:25am to the reinforcing troops of the 57th Infantry Battalion, wherein the landmine was within the immediate vicinity of the civilian population, which could harm civilians and non-combatants.

In a press statement of the NDF, the group directly acknowledged their criminal act justifying their deceitful actions.  With these two heinous crimes of the NPA, nine families lost a father and a provider of the families’ daily need.  They even hid to the public the robbery they committed during their attack.  They robbed the families of the CAFGUs a total amount of P2,135,430.00, which was intended to provide the daily needs of about 753 CAFGUs’ families.

During a press conference held at Kidapawan City this Saturday morning, Honorable Rudy Caoagdan, Municipal Mayor of Makilala said, “We seriously condemn the violent acts of the New People’s Army that endanger the lives of the people.  These atrocities should be put to a stop.  They do not contribute to the peace and development of our nation and they jeopardize our economic progress, and worst, they destroy the people’s only source of living by burning and destroying developmental projects and business establishments.”

From 2010 to date, the NPA has deliberately harmed a total of 471 civilians and military personnel through detonation of landmines in eastern Mindanao alone.  Among these are 75 civilian casualties, with 27 killed and 48 wounded, while the military suffered 396 casualties, with 109 killed and 287 wounded.

The Comprehensive Agreement on Respect to Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) protects civilians, non-combatants and hors de combat or those soldiers who are wounded and rendered incapable to fight.  But the NPA has no regard to the signed agreement of the National Democratic Front and the Communist Party and even disregarded the plea of the wounded soldiers who couldn’t fight anymore.

“The 10^th Infantry Division vehemently condemns the acts of the criminal group New People’s Army in using landmines, robbery and their explicit violation of CARHRIHL, that endanger the lives of civilians and non-combatants.  This likewise manifests the armed group’s utter disregard for human rights and International Humanitarian Law as they continue to defy the international ban on the use of landmines”, said Major General Ariel Bernardo, Commander of the 10^th Infantry Division.

“With the Bayanihan efforts of all peace loving stakeholders, we can give justice to our fallen troops and to those victims of the atrocities of the New People’s Army”, Major General Bernardo added.

Army Troops on Security and Rehabilitation Operation Landmined by NPA; One killed, 10 others wounded

Mati City – Peace and Development Teams of 28IB onboard two military vehicles led by 2LT Paypa were hit by a landmine at Sitio Mainit, Brgy. Calapagan, Lupon, Davao Oriental at 12:20 midnight of January 22, 2013.

The said team was on convoy, drifting their way back to headquarters from security and rehabilitation operation of the typhoon Pablo as landmine exploded hitting the rear portion of the second vehicle. Six were wounded and immediately brought to the Provincial Hospital, as one soldier did not make it. Pfc Jhasam Diaz died while being treated in the hospital. Moreover the rest of the injured were being treated now at Tagum Regional Hospital and Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital, Mati City.

“The army troops were part of the security of troops rendering rehabilitations to typhoon Pablo affected areas. The NPAs again showed their barbarism and inhuman acts by disturbing our humanitarian assistance activities” LTC Lyndon Paniza, 10ID spokesman.

“This is a clear manifestation that the New People’s Army violate and does not respect the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), landmine is strictly prohibited in this agreement. The NPAs are very desperate and ignored the provisions of CARHRIHL”. Paniza added.

Meanwhile two clashes happened between the army’s 60th Infantry Batalion and NPAs in Brgy. Mabuhay, Laak Compostela Valley at 2pm and 3:30pm yesterday. The army troops were on rescue operation on recent abduction by the NPAs of 1 soldier and policeman last January 17, 2013.

As investigation continues, the AFP persists to chase the bandits believed to be guilty on the incident.    

      

Off-Duty soldiers Massacred in Paquibato

MAWAB, Compostela Valley Province – Four members of 60^th Infantry Battalion’s Peace and Development Team were massacred by more or less ten members of New People’s Army in Sitio Cinco, Brgy. Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City.

The four were said to be on board three motorcycles, on civilian attire and unarmed when attacked by NPA fighters 5:30 p.m. yesterday, 10^th Infantry Division Spokesperson Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza said.

He identified the casualties as Pfc Ahian Vir Dolero , Pfc Marvin Lauronal, Pfc Noel  Sigan whose remains are now in Villa Funeral Homes, Panabo City while Private Marcelo Himaya, who is said to be missing earlier, was found dead in a nearby area and believed to be summarily executed.

“They were on their way back to their detachment after marketing when the incident happened”, Paniza said adding that troops are now on hot pursuit operations to apprehend the perpetrators.

Army officer and 12 others to face court martial over death of mother, sons in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur

MAWAB, Compostela Valley Province – An army officer and 12 others will face general court martial as probe revealed that there was indeed ‘tactical’ lapse into the killing of the wife and two sons of armed bandit leader Daguil Capeon in Kimlawis, Davao del Sur on October 18. 

 

In a six-page report of the Philippine Army’s Board of Inquiry, headed by its Division Inspector General Col. Fidel Francis Pumihic, 1Lt. Dante Jimenez admitted he failed to assess if it was the criminal group New People’s Army or the group of Capeon sheltering inside the house. 

 

In his statement, Jimenez said he, along with Cpl. Godio, Cpl. Namla, and Pfc. Gamayot, were 200 meters away from the house. He dispatched Sgt. Murillo, along with Pfc. Lopez, Cpl. Majid, Cpl. Sahali, Cpl. Jadjuli and Cpl. Said, to close in but was fired upon by shooters from the direction of the house prompting them to also return fire. While Sgt. Ballenas, Pfc. Tayamora and Pfc. Julian claimed that they did not fire. Accordingly, there were 43 bullet entry holes on the hut alone but, based on the spot report, only 19 bullets were expended by the troops. However, the result of the investigation did not determine as to whose bullets killed the victims. 

 

After the incident, one Rifle Grenade, two combat packs with personal belongings, 5.56mm empty shells and two m16 rifle magazines long with 20 rounds of 5.56mm live ammo were recovered in the area believed to be belonging to the group of Capeon. 

 

“There was a lapse of judgment on the company commander for he failed to direct his men in accordance to the Rules of engagement”, 10^th Infantry Division Spokesperson Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza said affirming the violation committed. However, he robs off massacre allegations and claimed that it was a legitimate encounter. 

 

In part six, the report stated that it was a legitimate encounter contrary to claims of groups that there was none. To recall, in his previous interviews, bandit leader Capeon said he was alone several meters away from the house and has denied having fired at pursuing troops which was supported by Marisa Capeon Piang during interviews. However, it was not clarified how and when the latter saw the bandit leader in the area.          

          

According to Paniza, based on the recommendation of the BOI, Jimenez and 12 others will face a general court martial to be convened by Philippine Army to hear and decide cases for violations of the Article of War 76 (Misbehaviour before the Enemy) of the ROE – particularly rules 4 and 5; the Article of War 96 (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman) and the Article of War 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline).

 

 “Since the operation was quad-size and was initiated within the company commander’s level, it was the responsibility of 1Lt. Jimenez to assess the situation and properly brief his troops about the confronted circumstances”, Paniza said. He also added that the other 12 enlisted personnel are also facing raps in violating the 76th Article of War and the 97th Article of War.

 

“Though we have yet to wait for the result of the ballistics’ test to know from whose shot really killed Jovy, and the two children, still, we have to promulgate necessary measures to our men who made violations (to ROE)”, Paniza said. 

 

He also added that an order has been issued for the full internalization of every member of the Armed Forces of the rules of engagement, especially to battalions and units under 10^th ID, through series of simulated activities in every trainings to avoid the same incident.