‘Miron’ killed in NPA attack in Masbate

From Malay Business Insight (Sep 18): ‘Miron’ killed in NPA attack in Masbate

A 15-year-old student was killed in an attack staged by New People’s Army rebels on government soldiers involved in community works in Cawayan town in Masbate on Saturday afternoon.

Capt. Joash Pramis, spokesperson of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division based in Camarines Sur, said the fatality, Vincent Pekiro, along with other civilians, was hit by enemy fire.

Pramis said troops from the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion were doing repair and clean-up drive at a daycare center in Barangay Libertad when they were fired upon by the rebels around 4:30 p.m.

Pramis said the undetermined number of rebels positioned themselves about 200 meters away from the troops, fired around five shots and withdrew.

“According to the troops, they heard five shots and the first one hit the boy. He was watching what the soldiers were doing at that time,” Pramis said of Pekiro, a resident of the barangay.

“Our troops did not retaliate to spare from harm the civilians in the area....They (rebels) withdrew and until now, we are going after them to hold them accountable for what they did,” added Pramis.

“This is another proof that they do not give importance to the safety of the people,” Pramis added.

Pramis said the military’s community works, in collaboration with local officials, in the barangay will continue despite the rebel attack. He said the endeavor is part of the 9th ID’s Community Support Program.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/%E2%80%98miron%E2%80%99-killed-npa-attack-masbate