Army says NDFP ceasefire declaration pure lie

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Dec 19): Army says NDFP ceasefire declaration pure lie

THE Philippine Army said the declaration of ceasefire by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)-Mindanao in places hardly hit by Typhoon Pablo is a pure lie and propaganda. This statement came after a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) was allegedly murdered by more or less 10 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in sitio Bagnot, Barangay Lydia, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, Monday afternoon. The victim was identified as CAA Luis G. Dejado, 19, a resident of Km 41, Barangay Binacalan, San Luis, Agusan del Sur.

In an emailed statement, Lieutenant Colonel Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV, 4ID spokesperson, said Dejado could have been alive and may spend Christmas with his family if the NPAs abided with the ceasefire declaration of Ka Oris in areas hit by Typhoon Pablo. “We should never believe Ka Oris,” Osias said, adding that Dejado sacrificed his life in protecting the people. Agusan del Sur in the Caraga region was one of the areas affected by Typhoon Pablo when it battered Mindanao early this month.

Earlier, Ka Oris, spokesperson of the NDFP-Mindanao, declared a ceasefire in areas affected by the typhoon to allow the safe, unhampered and speedy rescue and retrieval of all the victims of the calamity and to facilitate the fast and unimpeded delivery of relief services. He said the ceasefire starts at 12 p.m. of December 5, 2012 and will end at 12 p.m. of January 3, 2013. But Osias said treachery is very evident on the part of the NPA in killing Dejado since they know that he was unarmed. “It is again another proof that the NPA rebels know no rules and will take advantage of the vulnerability of their victims even if they violate the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIL) of which they are signatory,” he said.

Reports said Dejado was shot by the NPAs in different parts of his body, causing his instantaneous death. The rebels are believed to be members of the Sandatahang Platun Pangpropaganda Lamak, Guerilla Front 88, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee. Dejado was assigned at the Binicalan Patrol Base and is about to report at the Patrol Base for duty during the incident. The victim’s body was initially brought to the barangay hall of Laminga, San Luis, Agusan del Sur but was later transferred to a funeral home. “In behalf of the whole 4th Infantry Division, I would like to extend our condolences to the family of CAA Dejado. We are really saddened by his death who is unarmed during the murder, especially now that it is Christmas season,” said Major General Nestor A. Añonuevo, commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division. He said he has ordered all unit commanders in the area to be extra vigilant in all their actions and always be mindful of the security of their troops.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2012/12/19/army-says-ndfp-ceasefire-declaration-pure-lie-259264