CHR: Army-NPA clash legitimate

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 5): CHR: Army-NPA clash legitimate

Commission on Human Rights investigator Jesus Cañete yesterday said the encounter between the Army and members of the New People's Army in Pamplona town Thursday was legitimate.

He said the troops of the 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion observed and exercised due consideration and safety to all civilians in the house where five armed NPA members were staying in Sitio Makasakasa, Barangay Balayong, Pamplona.

The 79 th IB was informed of the presence of the armed men and troops were sent to the sitio to negotiate for their surrender, but the rebels reportedly fired at them. A firefight ensued that resulted in the death of two NPA members, and the capture of another who was injured.

The two remaining combatants were able to evade arrest, but are believed to be wounded due to the presence of bloodstains in the encounter site, the military said.

Military reports had earlier identified those slain only as “Ka Andoy” and “Ka Jury”, and the injured as Jessie Dacaldacal, squad leader of the NPAs operating in Sta. Catalina and the boundaries of Pamplona, Negros Oriental. He was given first-aid treatment by the operating troops and then brought to a hospital in Dumaguete, the military added.

Cañete said he went to the site after the firefight, and secured the house and its premise against the possible contamination of evidence.

Recovered at the encounter site were four armalite rifles with grenade launchers, one armalite rifle with an attached M203 tube, subversive documents with high intelligence value, and personal belongings.

The items were presented at a press conference yesterday at the Capitol in Dumaguate City, with officials of the 79 th and 302 nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Brgy. 4, Siaton town in Negros Oriental.
Provincial Administrator Richard Enojo commended the soldiers for their relentless campaign against insurgency in the province.

Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, acting commanding officer of the 79 th IB, said in a statement that the situation in Pamplona is already peaceful. “The peace and order in Balayong and adjacent barangays is back to normal. Our troops are still in the area to secure the community against the fleeing rebels,” he added.

Major General Aurelio Baladad, commander of the 3 rd Infantry Division, said, “We condole and extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the slain NPA members. It was tragic that they have taken arms against the peace-loving people of Negros despite being given the chance to lay down their arms peacefully. There is another way to push their cause but not through violence.”

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/April/05/negor2.htm