Army brass condemns NPA attack

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 29): Army brass condemns NPA attack

The 8th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army on Saturday condemned the killing of Private First Class Akmad Maruhom by suspected NPA rebels in Sitio Ulayanon, Barangay Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon in the evening of December 26.

In a press statement, 1Lt Norman M Tagros, spokesman of the 8th IB Philippine Army, said “this atrocity manifested contempt of the NPA pronouncement. It appeared that they (NPA rebels) just made lip service in their declaration of their short lived ceasefire. If only the CPP/NPA leadership is truly genuine with their assertion, it only shows that they have no complete control of their minions in the field. It is a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.”

Lt. Col. Carmelo Landingin, Commanding Officer of the 8th IB, 4ID made a similar statement, saying that the killing of Maruhom was “a clear violation of the CPP’s declaration of ceasefire.”

Landingin added that the CPP-NPA wants the people to continue with their misery so that they can continue to deceive them.

On Dec. 26, at about 6:30 p.m. the Barangay Assistance Team for Peace and Development Troops of the Philippine Army assigned at SitioUlayanon, Barangay Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon Province was attacked by suspected NPA rebels, who were allegedly armed by high-powered assault rifles.The attack killed Maruhom.

ON Dec. 8, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines declared a truce starting on 12:00 am of December 24 to 11:59 pm of December 26; and 12:00 am of December 31 to 11:59 p.m. of January 2, 2014.

‘Our Barangay Assistance Teams who are deployed in the areas in Impasugong, Bukidnon are not aimed at waging war against the NPA and other threat groups. The program is rather implemented to address local issues which are commonly exploited by the NPA so as people may be recruited to its ranks and pursue armed struggle. This is very unfortunate because we sent our people for peace not for war and yet they shot our solider,” Landingin added.

Landingin also called on Jorge Madlos alias Ka Oris of the NPA to surrender the attackers and have them charged before the courts.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/12/29/army-brass-condemns-npa-attack/