PRESIDENTIAL Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza yesterday said that a bilateral ceasefire should be seriously pursued in the ongoing peace talks so that propaganda between the military and the CPP-NPA-NDF will end.
Sec. Dureza issued the statement after an encounter erupted between the troopers of the 39th Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army (NPA) that resulted to the death of a guerilla in Makilala, North Cotabato early Sunday morning.
“I have to verify first what actually happened but from initial reports reaching me here in New York City, a bilateral ceasefire with guidelines and mechanisms in place are becoming all the more needed and imperative otherwise each side (the AFP & the NPA) will have their own reports and accusations favorable to their own version and interest or propaganda line,” He said.
Dureza explained that in a bilateral ceasefire, independent monitors conduct their own independent investigation, submit reports with possible sanctions imposed, if warranted.
“The best practices in our peace engagements with the Bangsamoro can be instructive to both sides,” he added.
During the encounter, an NPA member identified as Rojit Estampa Ranara, 33, married, a resident of Sito Patulangon, Barangay Zone 1, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur was killed.
In the propaganda war after the Sunday encounter, authorities said one rebel was killed while the NPA claimed eight soldiers were killed.
Authorities said the cadaver of the slain rebel was claimed by her sister Lolita Estampa Ranara and is currently laid at Torreda Funeral Homes, Makilala, North Cotabato.
The 39th IB and the Makilala Municipal Police Station said they also recovered war material during a series of encounter against the armed group who were extorting a construction company in Barangay Biangan, Makilala, North Cotabato on Jan. 21 and 22.
They said the armed group belonged to the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 51 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).
Among the war items seized were three high-powered rifles, three improvised explosive devices, 15 backpacks loaded with personal belongings, two handheld radios, assorted medical supplies and several subversive documents.
Several extortion letters, signed by Ricardo Fermiza, spokesman of Guerilla 51, Davao del Sur-North Cotabato Operation Command of the NPA in Southern Mindanao Region, were also recovered.
Based also on the records of the 39th IB, Fermiza has been extorting business owners and ordinary civilians in the area since 2014.
The NPA’s Regional Operations Command in Southern Mindanao claimed there were eight government troopers killed during the encounter.
But the 10th Infantry Division denied the NPA allegation.
“They should interview the people around the encounter site and check on all hospitals and funeral parlors in Regions 11 and 12 to determine who is telling the truth,” Capt. Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of 10th ID.
Maj. Gen. Rafael Valencia, 10ID commander said “it is very sad that while the peace talk is on-going, there are armed groups who continue to use force and violence to terrorize and extort from the people.”
“The AFP together with the PNP as mandated by law will always take actions to secure and protect the people against these wanton attacks,” Valencia said.
Prior to the encounter, Abusamin Angie, project in charge of Santos Land Development Corporation, reported to the police that Delio Tongcos, 40, the driver of their 10- wheeler loading truck, was harassed in Barangay Malasila, Makilala at around 2:10 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Around 12:40 p.m. of that day, Tongcos parked the elf truck, with plate number RDM-451, beside Cory Store at Purok Pilinut, Malasila when four men armed with .45 caliber pistol arrived on board a motorcycle.
Introducing themselves as members of NPA’s Front 51, they then directed Tongcos to give them the truck’s key. The driver refused, prompting one of the suspects to fire his gun.
Afraid for his life, Tongcos was forced to give the key. The armed men then took the truck.
Upon receiving the information, the Makilala police led by Insp. Violon immediately coordinated with the 39th IB for the possible arrest of the perpetrators.
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