Thursday, January 19, 2017

NPA: Sorry for causing panic

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Jan 17): NPA: Sorry for causing panic


A SPOKESPERSON of the New People's Army (NPA) admitted on Monday that the group that caused panic among residents of Barangay Dansolihon were their members.

Ka Allan Juanito, spokesman of the NPA-North Central Mindanao Regional Command, said the group was only supposed to conduct peace lectures and meant no harm.

Juanito said they regret the group caused panic among residents that led to the evacuation of over 200 individuals.

Juanito said the unilateral ceasefire is still in effect. He insisted that rebels are conducting "peace lectures," which do not constitute a ceasefire violation.

 First Lieutenant Janelle Diaz, civil military operations officer of the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division said heavily armed suspected rebels spoke to families in Sitios Pasao and Eva last Saturday afternoon.

Diaz said the unidentified persons distributed leaflets and asked residents regarding their opinion about the current government under President Rodrigo Duterte.

Although the residents said they were not physically harassed, Diaz said the residents were told not to inform the police and the military about the visit.

City Councilor Romeo Calizo said in an interview that according to intelligence reports, the rebel group belongs to the NPA Front 68.

"According to them, that was a peaceful activity because they were proposing for an educational package. But of course whether it's education or armed threat, or psychological operation, it's still violative especially with the existing ceasefire because the intent is still there and we are governed by a stable government," Calizo said.

"An attack is not just in an armed form, it also may be in other forms. All their activities should not cause panic to the residents," he added.

As of Monday, some families have returned to their homes in sitios Bulahan, Pasaw, Bato, Iba and Labagan.

The City Government distributed on Monday relief goods, such as five kilos of rice for each families, canned goods, and noodles to the remaining families staying at the tribal center in the said barangay,
 

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