Army Condemns NPA Atrocities

From the Negros Daily Bulletin (Jan 20): Army Condemns NPA Atrocities

Due to series of attacks on innocent civillians by the New People’s Army (NPA), Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commanding officer, 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army stationed at Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, condemns such acts which he said is in violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

According to Maj. Ray Tiongson, Chief Public Affairs Office of the 3rd ID, MG Baladad condemns to the highest degree the killings of civilians by the NPAs.

The Army’s reports revealed that last January 16, 2014, four (4) armed members of the NPA believed to be under Magno Flores alias Vergo/Ladin, Commanding Officer of the Larangang Gerilya1 (LG1), shot on the head a certain Rolan Dadlis at Sitio Aguntilang 3, Brgy. Riverside, Isabela, Negros Occidental that caused his instant death.

Dadlis, 28 years old, married and resident of the place is a member of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) in Negros and depends only on farming as a livelihood for his family.

Revelations from the former rebels in Negros who have joined the mainstream society stated that Magno Flores carried out various atrocities of the NPA operating in Central Negros victimizing innocent civilians and destroying properties in the area.

It can be recalled that last January 27, 2013, the NPA under Flores staged an ambush in Brgy. Puso, La Castellana, Negros Occidental that resulted to the death of eight civilians and a member of the PNP.

Another civilian was killed by the NPA last Friday January 17, 2014 at Sitio Biasong, Brgy. Tayak, Siaton, Negros Oriental.

A certain Narciso Bantoto Jr, resident of said barangay was reportedly shot by the armed rebels while he was walking with his wife, three children and niece. The unharmed family members of the victim overheard the perpetrators saying that they are NPAs and they need to punish the victim.
"The killing of innocent civilians by the NPA is enough. Let us not allow more of these senseless attacks to continue. We call on the NPA to stop the killings and spare the innocent civilians as they are non-combatants," said MG Baladad.

He also said, the NPA’s attack on non-combatants is a clear violation of the CARHRIHL which the CPP/NPA/NDFP is a signatory.

The agreement was signed on March 16, 1998 in Hague, The Netherlands and was approved on April 10, 1998 by the NDFP National Council chairman Maria Orosa and on August 7 that year by then President Joseph Estrada. NDFP represents the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

CARHRIHL states that parties should affirm and apply the principles of international humanitarian law in order to protect the civilian population and individual civilians.

It also violates Republic Act 9851 or Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, specifically Chapter III Section 4 c.5. – launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians.

The NDFP also declared on August 15, 1991 that it will adhere to the International Humanitarian Law.

Stipulated in Page 14 of the Philip Alston’s Report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions states that "even casual Government informers, such as peasants who answer when asked by AFP soldiers to identify local CPP members or someone who calls the police when faced with NPA extortion, killing such individuals violates international law."

Hence, Baladad stressed that "the NPA’s ways of killing are inconsistent with international human rights and international law; hence must be condemned to full extent and must be stopped. The NPA has further alienated itself from the peace-loving people of Negros and insist on sowing fear and terror barring development from coming in."

Despite of this, the AFP and the PNP will continue to collaborate with the local government units, government agencies and other stakeholders to bring peace and development through "Bayanihan".

Instead, Baladad urges the NPAs to lay down their arms, abandon the armed struggle and join the society in bringing peace and development especially in the countryside."

http://www.ndb-online.com/012014/local-news/local-news-army-condemns-npa-atrocities