Soldier’s death in NPA clash refuted

From the Manila Bulletin (Feb 24): Soldier’s death in NPA clash refuted

Iloilo City — No government soldier was killed in a clash with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Tapaz, Capiz.

Lieutenant Colonel Ray Tiongson, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3rd ID), said there was no casualty from the 61st Infantry Battalion  (61st IB).

Tiongson’s statement was meant to refute claims posted on social media site, Facebook  last February 21, 2016 by the rebel New People’s Army (NPA)- Central Panay command under Jose Percival Jr. that a government soldier died during a 10 a.m. encounter between rebel forces and the Philippine Army last Sunday, Feb. 21.

“There is no truth to it. If a soldier died, we don’t hide it.  We are accountable to the public,” Tiongson told Manila Bulletin.

 

Tiongson surmised that the NPA was aiming to boost its morale by spreading propaganda via social networking sites and even sending statement by email to members of media in Capiz.

Meanwhile, the 3rd ID is urging the NPA to respect the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

This was after two cops in Candoni, Negros Occidental were killed by suspected NPA cadres last February 19. When the patrol car where the two policemen were riding was on its way back to the station after responding to a hacking incident, the NPA peppered it with bullets.

http://www.mb.com.ph/soldiers-death-in-npa-clash-refuted/