‘Guihulngan ambush proves Reds insincerity'

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 26): ‘Guihulngan ambush proves Reds insincerity'

President Rodrigo Duterte's calling off of the peace talks with the National Democratic Front was welcomed by Negros officials yesterday, pointing out that the Communist rebels' killing of six policemen and a civilian in Guihulngan City Friday clearly manifested their lack of sincerity to attain peace.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the treacherous killing of the seven in Negros Oriental by the New People's Army should also be investigated by human rights groups.

“Why do they only investigate the military and army for human rights abuses? They should also look into atrocities committed by the rebels,” he said.

The governor also called on the police to learn from the lessons of the past, they should take precautionary measures in responding to calls for help to avoid falling victim to the rebels.

The Guihulngan police fell into the trap of the rebels, like many other law enforcers killed in NPA ambushes, he said.

While the rebel forces in Negros are now few, they are like ants, when they bite, it hurts and it is irritating, he said.

Jon Aying, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said the Army has taken a defensive and offensive position against the rebels to protect government troops and civilians.

The rebels don't seem to want peace, and proof of this is the ambush on the president's convoy and the Guihulngan massacre, he said.

They even wanted to kill the president, which is the strongest manifestation that they do not want peace, Aying said.

He said that while the peace talks have been called off for now, he believes that if the rebels show sincerity in the future, the doors to peace are not totally closed.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/July/26/topstory5.htm