RTF-ELCAC 6 strongly condemns terrorists for killing soldiers

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 20, 2020): RTF-ELCAC 6 strongly condemns terrorists for killing soldiers (By Jemin B. Guillermo)

ILOILO CITY, April 20 (PIA) – The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in Western Visayas has condemned anew the CPP-NPA terrorists for the killing of three soldiers in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, April 19.

In an official statement, the RTF-ELCAC 6 strongly condemns the treacherous and cowardly act of the CPP-NPA Terrorists against the members of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion who were conducting community security patrol in view of the distribution of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of DSWD to support families amid COVID-19 pandemic.

“The dastardly move of the CNTs is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law, which this Task Force solidly denounces such act,” the statement noted.

The Task Force likewise expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the three fallen soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the lives of the people to ensure peace and development in Western Visayas.

The group also assured of the RTF-ELCAC 6’s support in any form to lessen the grief of the immediate family of the fallen heroes.

On the other hand, 3rd Infantry Division commander, Major General Eric Vinoya, also condemned the said terrorist’s act against the soldiers.

Vinoya said that “the incident vividly reminds us of the treachery and the true evil that reside in each and every heart of the CPP-NPA terrorists, as they once again proven their outright disregard to established laws on armed conflict.”

He added that the CPP-NPA terrorists’ continued use of landmine against the government troops is prohibited under the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and this violation bespeaks of the cowardice and banditry of this terrorist group.

“These terroristic acts motivate us further to press on and finish the fight. We will hunt you down,” he said.

It can be recalled that three soldiers were killed when suspected members of the CPP-NPA terrorists detonated a landmine against the elements of the Army’s 94 IB, who were conducting security patrol in Sitio Tugas, Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental around 10:00 am of April 19, 2020.

The soldiers were responding to the repeated plea of the local residents of Sitio Tugas on the presence of CPP-NPA terrorists who were conducting extortion and recruitment activities in their community, when the incident took place. (JBG/PIA6)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1039523