Army, Reds swap allegations of abuses

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 31): Army, Reds swap allegations of abuses

Local military and rebel groups here in Negros exchanged allegations of human rights abuse and extortion in the Negros provinces.

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command in central Negros both aired their accusations of abuses and extortion activities.

A Christmas season ceasefire was declared by both Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army that took effect Dec. 23 to 26 and Dec. 30 to Jan. 2.

“We all know how they (CPP-NPA) deceive people in the far-flung barangays,” Capt. Ruel Llanes, Civil-Military Operations officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said.

“We protect the people from them who do extortion. We don’t do such acts” Llanes added, as he referred to the alleged proliferation of solicitation letters.

Capt. Eduardo Precioso, the spokesman of the 3ID, also called it as a “desperate move” of CPP-NPA as he junked repeated accusations against the military.

“We are very effective due to the cooperation of the victims of extortion, murder, arson and other inhuman acts leading to terrorism,” he added.

A rebel spokesman, Ka JB Regalado, in a press statement, accused the 3ID and 303rd Infantry Brigade of being behind the alleged killing of nine civilians in Guihulngan City, calling the military as opportunists.

Regalado also blamed the military for the spreading of solicitation letters with the name and logo of the CPP-NPA, asking for cash and rice, and condemning the AFP for such actions.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/12/31/army-reds-swap-allegations-of-abuses/