The Army battalion previously based in Northern
Samar has condemned the killing of unarmed soldiers by suspected
members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Unsay,
Maguindanao on Monday.
“It's very unfortunate that these unarmed soldiers working
for peace were killed in a treacherous way by the BIFF. They don’t even care
for the future of the children in the area where these victims has dreamed also
to uplift the education of the kids," said Lt. Col. Delos Reyes, commander
of Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion in a phone interview.
Suspected BIFF members attacked Melvin Nebrida of Lapinig
Northern Samar and Edmund Tindak of Siquijor past 3 p.m. on Monday. Both
soldiers have a rank of private first class.
The two unarmed soldiers wearing athletic uniforms were
killed while on their way to Shariff Aguak military camp, riding a motorcycle
to get some materials for classroom construction in Datu Unsay Central Elementary School
The victims who were being tailed by the armed men were hit
in the head and another one at the back. Afterwards, the assailant allegedly
snatched the motorcycle of the soldiers and fled towards the towns of Shariff
Aguak, Pagatin, Mamasapano and Salbo.
The soldiers were rushed to the Maguindano provincial
hospital but were declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
Delos Reyes said that the soldiers of the 34th IB was
implementing school building repairs in Datu Unsay town, which was burned by
armed groups during a clan war.
Unarmed soldiers doing community works in Maguindanao areas
have become frequent targets by rebels.
According to the official, the “barbaric killing” of unarmed
soldiers and civilians is by itself a war crime and crime against humanity.
“The BIFF rebels have no regards for the well-being of the
people they killed and looted. The attack against my soldiers who are doing
community works is not only an attack to us soldiers, but also to the
peace-loving people of Maguindanao,” he said.
“This is a blatant display of desperation and arrogance on
the part of the BIFF rebels.,”
However, the army will continue with their strong
cooperation with the Muslim people to defeat the terrorists and restore peace,
stability and prosperity in the entire Mindanao
area.
Currently, soldiers from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division
were conducting “hot pursuit” operations in areas near the border of Datu Unsay
town.
“We will do whatever we can do to finish this and to protect
the civilians,” he said.
The the 34th IB under the 8th Infantry Division here in
Eastern Visayas was previously based in Opong village in Catubig, Northern Samar .
The battalion was deployed to Mindanao on March 2015 to
support the all-out offensive against the BIFF and maintain peace and security
in the conflict-stricken areas of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, North
Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=775348
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