PNP condemns NPA attack vs gov’t troops in Iloilo

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 18, 2020): PNP condemns NPA attack vs gov’t troops in Iloilo (By Perla Lena)

LANDMINE ATTACK. The police patrol car of the Tubungan Municipal Police Station was damaged when hit by an anti-personnel mine of the CPP-NPA on Thursday, Dec 17. The regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Western Visayas condemned the “landmine attack”. (Photo by IPPO)

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) has condemned the “landmine attack” of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) against the team of the Tubungan Municipal Police Station (MPS) at Barangay Balicua in Tubungan, Iloilo on Thursday.

In a statement released by the PRO6 Thursday night, it said the incident showed the “real character of the CPP-NPA, which intends to destroy the peace and order, create havoc and spread terror in the town of Tubungan”.

“PRO-6 condemns the use of landmine, an improvised explosive, to attack our personnel is a clear indication that the CPP-NPA has no respect for human rights and never bothers if they would injure civilians living near the area,” the statement added.

The statement emphasized that using landmines is a violation under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (or Mine Ban Convention).

Meanwhile, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) in a statement released Friday said it is “enraged by the atrocity perpetrated by the members of local communist terrorists against the PNP personnel”.

“The said terroristic act is a blatant insult not only to the desire of the Ilonggos for a peaceful celebration of the holiday season, but also a clear manifestation of the continued defiance of the NPAs to the government's call for real and lasting peace,” the statement said.

It added their treacherous act in an attempt to harm government forces and properties “gives a strong reason for the Ilonggos to declare these terrorists as persona non grata”.

“With this, we reiterate our condemnation of the NPA and abhor the evils it brings to the community,” added the statement.

At around 2:45 pm on Thursday, the team led by assistant chief of police, Lt. Jose Romel C. Samson, onboard their service vehicle, was conducting a mobile patrol when they were hit by a blast.

IPPO director Police Col. Gilbert Gorero, in a text message, said that all personnel on board were safe.

However, the police patrol car incurred broken windows on the driver's side and holes and scratches on the left side.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1125143