Landmine attack victim wants NPA to apologize on TV

From Rappler (Mar 7): Landmine attack victim wants NPA to apologize on TV


 

HURT CIVILIAN. Arnel Valleroso, 42, a disaster management responder who was hurt in communist guerilla's landline attack in Davao del Sur, is not satisfied with statement apology. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler

A civilian victim of the landmine attack staged by the New People's Army (NPA) in Davao Del Sur is not satisfied with the statement of apology by the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

"I want a TV apology," said Arnel Valleroso, 42, a responder for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) who was among the 5 civilians hurt in the landmine attack.

"I want the spokesperson to apologize on TV so that the message is clear. Why did they do that to us? They signed an agreement that they will not hurt civilians," he said on Friday, March 7.

Valleroso was aboard a PDRRMC ambulance, the worst hit among 3 ambulances hit by NPA landmines in Davao Del Sur. Shrapnels hit his neck.

[Video: Landmine attack victim wants NPA to apologize on TV  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMwUBOSQRFM

The 2 other vehicles were a Red Cross ambulance and a military ambulance that were on their way to assist soldiers earlier hit by landmines on Sunday, March 2.

NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command apologized on Thursday saying it committed a lapse in judgment.

Rhoderick Parayno of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Human Rights Office said: "It is shocking. This is a clear violation of the international humanitarian law. We have the law RA 9851. It specifies the protection of civilians." (READ: Landmines: A poor man's weapon)

The Commission on Human Rights and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process (OPAPP) have also condemned the attack.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/52446-victim-davao-del-sur-landmine-attack-npa-apology