NPA hits 2 LGUs

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 1): NPA hits 2 LGUs

The New People’s Army Mt. Cansermon Command in central Negros has criticized the local governments of Himamaylan City and Binalbagan, for not taking any action against what it claimed to be an increasing number of human rights violations allegedly committed by the 62nd Infantry Battalion in their respective areas.

Rebel spokesman Dionesio Magbuelas, in a statement issued by the Mt. Cansermon Command in central Negros, specifically mentioned Binalbagan Mayor Emmanuel Aranda, whom he accused of tolerating the presence of Army soldiers in residences without the permission of the owners, and of threatening members of legal associations.

Aranda recently attended an activity of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, who facilitated the surfacing of 60 supporters of the New People’s Army in Brgys. Bi-ao and Santol, Binalbagan, who had withdrawn their support from the rebel movement and pledged their allegiance to the government.

Two months ago, 113 alleged supporters and sympathizers of the New People’s Army in Brgy. Buenavista and Mahalang, Himamaylan City, also renounced the armed struggle and expressed their support to the duly-constituted government, Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, 62IB commander said.

Magbuelas challenged the Commission on Human Rights, local government units and progressive organizations to conduct an investigation and file charges against those responsible for committing human rights violations.

Col. Alberto Desoyo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, on the other hand, slammed the CPP-NPA in Negros for killing 15 innocent civilians from January to September this year, for which they had claimed responsibility allegedly for atrocities.

Meanwhile, Magbuelas condemned what he claimed to be the forced surrender of farmers in Brgy. Santol, Binalbagan last month, alleging that they were only informed by the Philippine Army to attend a dialog, in connection with the land they are tilling, that used to be owned by the Fuentespina family.

On July 8, Magbuelas further claimed that farmers in Brgy. Carabalan, Himamylan City, were also called to attend a meeting, forced to sign a blank paper, and ordered to burn a CPP-NPA flag.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/October/01/topstory6.htm