The Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Police yesterday slammed the New People's Army for admitting that they were behind the recent ambush of policemen in Candoni, Negros Occidental.
“It was plain murder, that was done with treachery, and cannot be justified,” Lt. Col. Rey Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, yesterday said.
Tiongson dismissed claims that the slain and injured policemen were involved in illegal activities and called them a mere propaganda, to justify their atrocities.
Chief Supt. Conrado Capa, regional police director of Negros Island Region, said he is fuming mad over the ambush and killing of the Candoni policemen, who were just performing their normal and a routine assistance function.
Capa said the policemen were not even engaged in security operations against the New People's Army.
The ambush in Brgy. Caningay, Candoni, claimed the lives of two policemen, and caused injuries to four others, including two civilians. They were also stripped of their police uniforms, personal belongings and firearms by the NPA.
By conducting an ambush against policemen and also causing injuries to two civilians, what were the NPA trying to prove, Romeo Baldevarona, chairperson of the Committee on Human Rights in Negros Occidental, asked yesterday.
As accusations that the policemen had been linked to illegal activities, Baldevarona said they should have been given a warning, and not by killing them instantly.
Tiongson said the NPA should realize the futility of their armed struggle, which is against the interest of the people. “There are civilians who were victims of their treacherous act”, he added.
He maintained that the NPA ambush is a blatant violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, of which the rebel group is a signatory.
Baldevarona said he noted that there is no compliance with CARHRIHL, which he describes as a “most violated” agreement.
Municipal officials and residents of Candoni are holding a prayer vigil today in the town poblacion, in connection with the ambush incident.
Baldevarona said that as soon as they complete their investigation of the incident, they will recommend financial assistance to the families of the slain and injured Candoni policemen.
Senior Supt. William Senoron, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said yesterday that Pacheco and Peralta will be accorded full police honors during their burial on Sunday.
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