AFP-SOLCOM calls for community support, expects NPA human rights complaints

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 10): AFP-SOLCOM calls for community support, expects NPA human rights complaints

CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, Lucena City -– The Armed Forces Of the Philippines-Southern Luzon Command (AFP-SOLCOM) stationed here on Thursday called on the support of the community in light of the government’s effort to stop the terrorist acts perpetrated by the New People’s Army (PNA) operating in the area.

The SOLCOM leadership here expected NPA human rights advocates’ accusations against the military following the series of armed confrontations and all-out military offensives against the insurgents.

“We expect the NPA human rights advocates to take the center stage on accusing the military of human rights violations and abuses,” SOLCOM Commander Lieutenant General Ferdinand F. Quidilla said.

He sounded the call for community support to the government’s efforts to curb violence and lawlessness instigated by the rebels.

"Due to NPA’s inability to retaliate the military forces, they resort to inflict harm and divert their atrocities specifically on geographically isolated and disadvantage areas (GIDA) and hapless communities,” he assessed.

Lt. Gen. Quidilla also reported that on Wednesday evening, the NPAs continued to commit terrorist violations like burning the equipment used in the ongoing construction of the circumferential road project at a sub-village in Casay, San Francisco town in Quezon province.

He said the refusal of the Rapid Foremost Construction Company to give in to the NPA’s demands resulted in the burning of the company’s equipment that included a dump truck, two cement mixers and a bulldozer.

Quidilla emphasized to his troops that in carrying out their missions, “there should be no abuse of authority and ensure that there is no collateral damage inflicted to the community.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=962640