Army discredits NPA-NDF statements over killing of soldiers in Bukidnon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 8): Army discredits NPA-NDF statements over killing of soldiers in Bukidnon

Following the incident wherein three soldiers were killed by the New People's Army (NPAs) on February 1, 2017 in Malaybakay, Bukidnon, MGen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., 4th Infantry Division (4ID) commander, has expressed condemnation regarding the accusation and libelous statements of Luis Jalandoni of the National Democratic Front (NDF) saying that the death of the soldiers in Bukidnon was a rubout.

“That was a report from the military. There's a possibility that the military are the ones who shot at them because we still have no report from the NPA. It is never a policy of the NPA to waste several bullets in an encounter. It can be a rubout done by the military to put the blame to the NPA. Because the NPA has established a good reputation in different communities,” uttered Jalandoni, in a desperate attempt to cover up the acts committed by their terrorist members.

On the contrary, it can be noted that the day after the killing of the said soldiers, Allan Juanito, the NPA spokesperson for the Northcentral Mindanao Region, called up the media and owned up to the said killing saying that “the soldiers were on board two motorcycles when they were flagged down by the NPA in Sitio Kalib, Barangay Kibalabag in Malaybalay, at around 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb 1).”

Juanito further averred that “the soldiers tried to fight back, pulling out their firearms, but the NPA shot at them first to defend themselves resulting to the soldiers’ death.

The said statements can also be seen in both local and national broadsheets and was heard over the local radio stations.

"Jalandoni's accusations have added more injury to the bereaved families and loved ones of the three soldiers who are in pain and suffering for the loss. His accusation of killing our own troop members is an attempt to deceive everyone about the incident and it is clear, therefore, that Jalandoni is not in touch with the situation on the ground,” said Madrigal.

Moreover, with the admission of Juanito on the incident, “let us see if Jalandoni can sanction the perpetrators, apply the Geneva protocols, and bring them to justice. If he really wanted to pursue the peace talks with the government, he must order the NPA to stop terrorizing our communities, doing atrocities and start working with the whole nation on the attainment of lasting peace," added Madrigal.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2761486537375/army-discredits-npa-ndf-statements-over-killing-of-soldiers-in-bukidnon