NPA STRIKES AGAIN // ATTACK is Total Disregard to HR

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Nov 26): NPA STRIKES AGAIN // ATTACK is Total Disregard to HR

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City (DWDD) - The NPA bandits attacked the peaceful-community of Umayamnon tribe in Sitio Miaray, Brgy Mandahican, Cabangalasan, Bukidnon at around 2:30 in the afternoon on November 23, 2015 leaving one civilian wounded and properties destroyed.

The community was filled with terror and fear after the group of Junie Tilocan alias WATIWIT of Section Committee 89 and Alfredo Banawan alias ALAB of Guerilla Front 6 all under North Central Mindanao Regional Committee indiscriminately fired their weapons destroying some of the villagers’ properties and hitting Angelo “Loyloy” Yanggahon on his right arm. He was immediately brought to Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Malaybalay City after the bandits left the area.

“This is a clear violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect to Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) which is duly signed by the GPH and NDFP in 1998 at The Hague, The Netherlands that Civilian population and civilians shall be distinguished from combatants and, together with their property, shall not be the object of attack. They shall likewise be protected against indiscriminate strafing” Col Jesse Alvarez, Commander of 403^rd Infantry Brigade underscored, slamming the act as inhumane and total disregard to people’s lives.

Said attack forced the tribe to evacuate their community because of fear. Most of them are now sheltered near the barangay center of Brgy Mandihacan while some sought refuge in the neighbouring communities of Canangaan in Cabanglasan.

Meanwhile, Ltc Lennon Babilonia, Commanding Officer of 8^th Infantry Battalion has ordered his troop to pursue the said bandits in support to the ongoing Law Enforcement Operation of the local PNP.

In an interview conducted by the PNP, residents also revealed that prior the attack, the NPA forcibly taken one of their people, Angelito Tilocan, 22, years old, a former NPA member at around 6:00 A.M. last November 19, 2015 at his residence. His relative Dondon Eyawa said Angelito has not yet returned after the abduction.

“There will be no let-up in our operation. We will not let these NPA bandits harm our people. We urge the human rights advocates particularly the Commission on Human Rights and KARAPATAN to also conduct investigation on this another NPA atrocity. Their intervention will help everyone see the true picture of Lumad situation in this side of the Country.” Emphasized by Col Alvarez before he end his statement.

It can be recalled that the NPA bandits recently attacked the Talaandig Tribe in La Paz, Agusan del Sur killing Datu Cadoy in front of his people last October 3, 2015; Higaonon Tribe in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte killing Datu Ricardo Sulhayan in front of his people last October 7, 2015; Manobo Tribe in Carmen, Surigao del Sur forcing the people to evacuate their community last October 29, 2015; and Kidnapping three Higaonon from Brgy White Kulaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon last November 4, 2015. IPs in these communities are all shouting for help against NPA tyranny. 4DPAO / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/npa-strikes-again-attack-is-total-disregard-to-hr/