CPP/NPA: NPA declares 5 arrested 60th IB troops as Prisoners of war

From the CPP Website (Jun 19): NPA declares 5 arrested 60th IB troops as Prisoners of war

Leoncio Pitao (Kumander Parago)
Spokesperson
Southern Mindanao 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion (1st Pulang Bagani Battalion)

The 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion of the New People’s Army (NPA)-in Southern Mindanao Region is holding as Prisoners of war five members of the 60th Infantry Battalion-1003rd Brigade-10th Infantry Division-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) namely, Cpl. Emmanuel Quezon (Serial No. 827510), Pfc. Vernie Padilla (SN 898234), Pvt. Marteniano Pasigas (SN 901766), Pfc. Ronald Gura (SN 898248) and Pfc. Donato Estandian (SN 893670).

The troops’ ranking official, 1Lt. Neven Canitan, cowardly abandoned his men and evaded the NPA checkpoint that was held on June 17 at 3 PM in Bangkaan, Paquibato Proper, Davao City. Three .45 caliber pistols and one hand grenade were confiscated from the captives.

The NPA’s active counter-intelligence and subsequent operations were meant to punish the AFP units, particularly the Civil Military Operations (CMO)-10th ID under Maj. Jake Obligado for continuing to encroach, settle and conduct psychological warfare and intelligence operations in all villages of Paquibato District. Under the guise of “peace and development,” the CMO along with the 69th IB has completely militarized the farmer and Lumad populace by regulating the movement of the civilian populace and abusing the masses. Human rights violations committed by military units under the 1003rd Bde in Paquibato and other hinterland villages in Davao City and Davao del Norte included the arrest of civilians, red tagging of peasant leaders, harassment of family members of NPA Red fighters, killing of one Elias Acero, a civilian, and wounding of unarmed other civilian last April 8, and killing of civilian Ramirez Esdang in Malabog last December.

The fascist AFP has slyly employed anti-ambush methods by using two-wheel transport and masquerading as innocent service providers with civilian clothes and lack of high-powered firearms. Again, as in many of its twisted pronouncements in the past, the military has used the worn-out excuse that their troops were attacked or accosted by the NPA when the former were engaged in harmless chores like marketing. The AFP’s alibi is merely a pretext of the deceptive and brutal character of the US-Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan (OPB).

Even prior to the June 17 NPA arrest, the 84th IB, 69th IB and 60th IB units under the 1003rd Bde have already unleashed its fascist brigade-wide operations in Paquibato District to pave the way, among others, for large-scale mining operations. Further intensification of the military operations in Davao City hinterlands under the cover of pursuit and rescue operations will only endanger the lives of the POWs.

The POWs are currently undergoing investigation for possible serious human rights violations, violations of International Humanitarian Law and crimes versus the people that they may have committed in the course of their participation in the counterrevolutionary OPB and as elements of the reactionary armed force. The NPA custodial force will continue to take active defensive stance to protect its troops while ensuring the safety of its captives.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130619_npa-declares-5-arrested-60th-ib-troops-as-prisoners-of-war