Army official in EV appeals for civilian, media support vs NPAs

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 21, 2019): Army official in EV appeals for civilian, media support vs NPAs (By Ninfa Barcena-Quirante)

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 21 (PIA)—An army official appealed to all civilians to provide information on NPA atrocities in the barangays.

In PIA’s Panginsayod hosted by PIA 8 Regional Director Olive Tiu, Capt. Reynaldo Aragones, the official made his appeal.

Aragones heads the 8th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) based in Catbalogan City.

"Wala na silang galang sa karapatang pantao, apat na ang nasawi, magpa-Pasko pa, imbis na kaligayahan ngayong Pasko, luksa at pasakit ang dulot nila." (They do not respect human rights, four have died and this is almost Christmas, the families should have been happy, but instead they are grieving.)

These were the words of Aragones as he appealed to the media to help inform the public to relay information that can help them and other security forces thwart any plans to terrorize civilians.

"Tulungan ninyo kami, hindi na ito laban lang ng pulis at army," (This is not just the fight between us army and police against them) he added.

"Sibilyan na ang tinitira." (They are now targeting even civilians.)

"Kailangan po namin ang tulong ng sibilyan, ang pagbigay ng impormasyon." (We need your help, give us information.)

He also requested the media to refrain from entertaining the legal fronts of the NPAs.

"Habang pinapatulan niyo ang propaganda nila, lalo niyo sila iprino-promote,” (Once you entertain them, you are promoting their false propaganda) Aragones passionately pleaded.

The army officer also thanked the media for helping the government to promote what the government is doing.

"Hindi na nag-iisa ang sundalo at pulis sa gawain namin, kakampi na namin ang sibilyan." (We realize now that the civilians are with us.)

"Lalo naming pag-iibayuhin ang aming trabaho, dahil andyan kayo, kakampi namin," [We will exert more effort to do our mandate because you (the civilians) are with us] said the DPAO Chief.

Aragones was referring to the ambush of a police car on December 13, 2019 where a tryke load of people happen to pass in the ambush site.

One Agripina Traboco from San Isidro, San Julian died on the spot, while Pat. Mark Jerome Rama, a policeman also died on the spot in Brgy. Libuton, Borongan City.

An LGU van was also involved in the crossfire where the driver Anthony Balayanto died on the spot.

Some 18 more civilians and policemen were injured in the ambush, and were evacuated to hospitals in Tacloban City.

On December 18, one more seriously injured victim, Mary Gracae Rapada, 44 died while being treated in a Tacloban hospital.

Relatives of the victim informed that Rapada stayed in coma since the incident on December 13, 2019.

The other wounded civilians have been discharged but are still prevented from doing their usual activities. (nbq/PIA 8-E. Samar)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1031871