Army creates inquiry board for NPA

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 13): Army creates inquiry board for NPA

The Army leadership has created a Board of Inquiry (BoI) to look into the series of atrocities launched by the New People’s Army (NPA) in the towns of Matanao and Bansalan in Davao del Sur that resulted in the killing of seven soldiers and three policemen.

Army chief Maj. Gen. Hernando Iriberri tapped Army Inspector General Brig. Gen. Cesar Sedillo as head of the BoI.

Iriberri said that the board went to Davao del Sur yesterday to determine what led to the series of attacks launched by the NPA in Davao del Sur during the past weeks.

“Members of the board went to Davao del Sur with the Army Inspector General to find out what needs to be improved in the support, training and organization to come up with new policies, if necessary,” said Iriberri.

“It is basically to look into answers to the question why it happened. The result of which will be the basis of our actions on matter,” he added.

On Monday, seven soldiers and three policemen were killed after an NPA band, numbering about 50 armed rebels, attacked Matanao Municipal Police Station in Barangay Poblacion.

Two cops were killed instantly during the attack while the third fatality died while undergoing treatment. Two other policemen were wounded.

While withdrawing, the NPA rebels encountered elements of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion along Barangay Saboy, also in Matanao. However, the government troops hit a landmine, killing seven soldiers.

Only last March 2, nine soldiers were wounded after NPA rebels also exploded a landmine at the height of an encounter in Bansalan town, also in Davao del Sur.

Five more civilians were also wounded when the NPA exploded another landmine against the three ambulances that were transporting the wounded soldiers.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said the BOI is composed of officials from the operations, intelligence, logistics and training offices of the Army headquarters.

“The inquiry is more on finding ways to improve the system through policies, training, logistics and organization,” said Detoyato.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/army-creates-inquiry-board-for-npa