CPP-NPA can’t nab gov’t forces – Army

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 16): CPP-NPA can’t nab gov’t forces – Army

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division lashed out at the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army for ordering the arrest of the 62nd Infantry Battalion troopers behind the successful apprehension of six communist rebels, after an encounter recently in Mabinay, Negros Oriental.

Capt. Eduardo Precioso, 3ID Public Affairs Office chief, yesterday said that members and leaders of the NPA should be arrested for recruiting minors and nurturing children to become criminals, which is a gross violation of RA 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act

“Our troops are just performing their mandate to protect the people in the area from terror and other criminal activities of these CPA-NPA terrorists,” Precioso said.

He added the claiming responsibility for the liquidation of the Quilanan brothers in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, only proves that they are murderers fit to be arrested and put behind bars.

Ka JB Regalado, in a statement issued by the Leonardo Panaligan Command, said that an order was issued to its units, to arrest 62IB soldiers and some civilians for the illegal arrest of six teenagers.

The military said, six high-powered firearms and explosives were among the items recovered from the captured rebels.

Aside from recruiting minors, Precioso said the CPP-NPA is also accommodating those who engage in criminal activities such as robbery and murder, in contrast to their assertion that they are observing strict recruitment policies specifically of those who have ‘good records’.”

The Philippine Army his reiterate its call for Negrenses to remain vigilant and report any activities of the CPP-NPA, in order to stop them from propagating more terror.

“W e are calling the Negrenses to protect and defend your Army against this anti-people, anti-peace, and anti-development terrorist organization who feeds you with nothing but misery and poverty,” Precioso said.

The mayors of Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Manjuyod, and Mabinay all of Negros Oriental, have condemned the presence and atrocities of the CPP-NPA in the province in a manifesto through a resolution that was unanimously approved during the joint Municipal Peace and Order Councils Meeting last March 8, 2018.

“Military pressure alone is not enough. Hence, we need to combine our efforts to create social pressure that will induce the CPP-NPAs to lay down their arms, abandon the armed struggle, and return to the mainstream society to start a new and productive life”, Precioso further said.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/March/16/topstory14.htm