ARMY: 42 NPA atrocities since August 2016

From the Mindanao Times (Feb 6): ARMY: 42 NPA atrocities since August 2016

THE 10TH Infantry Division has recorded 42 atrocities attributed to the New People’s Army since August last year.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, the division spokesperson, said the incidents included nine attacks, one ambush and abductions of five civilians and one soldier.

Also, he blamed the rebels for the series of torching incidents involving buses, heavy equipment and passenger vans. They were able also to record one coercion incident, two disarming incidents and murder of two civilians.

On Jan. 30, 2Lt. Victor Alejo of 67th Infantry Battalion was killed when they were fired upon by NPAs in Manay, Davao Oriental.

On the same day, three soldiers were reportedly abducted and killed by the rebels in Malaybalay, Bukidnon around 5 p.m.

On Feb. 2, two soldiers under 39th Infantry Battalion were blocked and abducted by the NPAs while they were on board their motorcycle at Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat around 7:30 a.m.

PFC Erwin Salan of 30th Infantry Battalion was also abducted by the rebels in Surigao del Norte on Jan. 29 around 3:40 p.m.

Due to the recent NPA attacks, President Rodrigo Duterte withdrew on Friday the unilateral ceasefire against the rebels. Also he ordered the suspension of the peace talks.

In a separate interview, AFP chief of staff, Gen. Eduardo M. Año, stated that the AFP will abide to President Duterte’s order of ending the unilateral ceasefire.

“It is unfortunate that the gains of the last 6 months would come to a halt because the cpp npa again resorted to the use of violence and chose arms to advance their interests,” Año said.

“While Fidel Agcaoili (NDF negotiator) was assuring the public through media that NDF-CPP-NPA will continue the unilateral ceasefire, the NPA was attacking our soldiers who were doing community support and development work that resulted to the death of 2Lt Miguel Victor Alejo and five soldiers and the abduction of Pfc. Salan and two other soldiers,” he added.

http://mindanaotimes.net/army-42-npa-atrocities-since-august-2016/