NPAs Attempt to Kill Soldier, Took Children as Hostage

Camp Manuel T.Yan, Mawab Compostela Valley Province- Despite of the aftermath of Typhoon Pablo, seven (7) members of an Organized Crime Group believed to be affiliated to the New People’s Army flagged down Pfc Lito Masaluon while on his way back to detachment  in a motorcycle  together with his 12 year-old and 17 year-old children and another civilian. Failing to kill PFC Masaluon, the NPAs took the children instead as hostages in Sitio Danao, Brgy Mandalingan, Kapalong, Davao Del Norte, yesterday, Dec 09, 2012 at 9:30 A.M.

 

In an interview, Pfc Masaluon, assigned in Kimantaan detachment and  told that, he went to Brgy Datu Balong early morning to pick up a sack of rice and to fetch his two children then go back to the detachment. “ Naanod man ang among balay sa baha sa Kapalong,mao gi uban nako ang akong duha ka anak pabalik unta sa detachment,kay wala sila matulogan (Our house was washed out by the flashflood in Kapalong, that is why I brought my two children to the detachment supposedly, for shelter)”. Pfc Masaluon said.

 

Sitio Danao is more or less 5 kilometers away from Kimantaan Detachment. Pfc Masaluon added that the NPAs fired their rifle to him and his children.  Sensing that his children will be in danger if he is with them, Pfc Masaluon opted to divert the attention of the attackers in the opposite direction leaving his children. He ran to escape and to ask for help, but three NPAs followed him and continued firing at him. 

 

“This is the way they celebrate the International Human Rights Day, by kidnapping and attempting to murder soldiers whose lives were also affected by the typhoon. Instead of helping the people affected by Typhoon Pablo, they are there sowing violence.” LtCol Lyndon Paniza, 10^th Infantry Division Spokesperson said. “This manifests their continuous defiance to Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) agreement.” He added.

 

The 10^th Infantry Agila Division under the Eastern Mindanao Command will continue to exert effort in helping the victims of the typhoon Pablo thru humanitarian assistance together with the different sectors and stakeholders, but the AFP will not set aside this incident. A soldier, a father, is seeking help to rescue his two kidnapped children.

Bandits Attacks in Sarangani, 127 individuals evacuated

Maitum, Sarangani Province –  The attack of bandits in Maitum, Sarangani Province over the weekend has caused the evacuation of 127 individuals.

According to Maitum Mayor Elsie Perrett, the attack of the bandits was led by Salindatu Binago alias Datu Ingig last October 6 at 6 in the morning. It  resulted to the wounding of one person and the evacuation of 40 families with 127 individuals from Sitio Nalipay, Brgy Ticulab. “The local government is providing the basic needs of the affected families, who are at the evacuation center in Sitio Bem of said barangay”, she said.

"The local government has to respond to the attack, which is already second in the series of attack by the said group that started last August 16 wherein Kagawad Freddie Macatin, his wife and brother-in-law was killed. We called on the military and the police to act upon and resolve the conflict. With that, the local government is extending its full support to the clearing operations being jointly conducted by the military and the PNP", Perrett added.

“The attack of the bandits is entirely law enforcement and security concern, thus, the military and police was called upon by the LGU to restore stability in the area. Through the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee (JPSCC) of the military and the PNP, troops were deployed to ensure that the barangay will be free from the clutches of the heavily armed bandits. And as the military conducts all its operations, the primacy of human rights is always at the forefront", said Col. Glorioso Miranda, 1002nd Infantry Brigade Commander.

Meanwhile, the local MILF, Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and the Coordinating Committe on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) invoked that the bandits are not associated with the MILF, thus, the joint operation will not hamper the on-going peace talks.

While clearing operations is being jointly conducted by the military and police, the local government is attending to the concerns of the evacuees. This is a clear manifestation of the IPSP "Bayanihan" in effect wherein the military, police and local government work hand-in-hand for the preservation of peace and security in the area, Col Miranda added.