Army prepares for possible NPA anniversary attacks

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 26): Army prepares for possible NPA anniversary attacks

The 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) based in Jamindan, Capiz is now intensifying their intelligence efforts and combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) to prevent the rebel group from creating atrocities as it marks its 45th founding anniversary on March 29.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

3ID spokesperson Major Ray Tiongson said they will be on red alert status on that day to monitor all the possible movements of the rebels.

“We are on our toes for possible sabotage and other terrorist attacks. The government troops are prepared for NPA attacks anytime,” he said.

Tiongson said the Philippine Army condemns the continued ruthless killings of the NPA and its violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

Last December 30, 2013, Demetrio Capilastique known as “Hugo” was shot dead in Barangay Linaywan, Badiangan, Iloilo by alleged members of the SPARU unit of the NPA.

Capilastique is a ranking leader of the NPA’s rival group Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) here in Panay Island.

On January 26, 2013, a certain Gina Genilan Gestalao alias Neneng, 35 years old, wife of a former RPA-ABB member and a resident of Bulho, San Joaquin, Iloilo, was shot dead by the NPA, hitting her right upper breast and left portion of her eye.

A day before the incident, a ranking leader of the RPA-ABB Joven Tababa was also shot dead by alleged NPA in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

Tababa was with his seven-year-old daughter when he was shot and eventually died on the spot. However, his daughter managed to flee.

“The NPA’s attack on non-combatants is clearly a violation of the CARHRIHL of which the CPP/NPA/NDFP is a signatory,” Tiongson said.

Meanwhile, Major General Aurelio Baladad, Commander of the Army’s 3ID said the unlawful killings and blatant violation of human rights and the International Humanitarian Law of the NPA must be stopped. The democratic government and the Filipino people want a justice system that is not served through killings.

Baladad called for peace by urging NPA to lay down their arms, abandon the armed struggle and join the mainstream society in bringing peace and development especially in the countryside.

“Our Bayanihan efforts to bring peace and development in the countryside will continue. We call on the public to be vigilant and let us work together in addressing the challenges of peace,” Baladad concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=629285