Kalinaw News: JTF Bicolandia Condemns Assassination Plot Against a Gov’t Official in Masbate, Joint Ops with PNP Intensified to Crush NPA Members Responsible for the Crime

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 19, 2021): JTF Bicolandia Condemns Assassination Plot Against a Gov’t Official in Masbate, Joint Ops with PNP Intensified to Crush NPA Members Responsible for the Crime



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-A New People’s Army (NPA) terrorist was killed after a Punong Barangay retaliated in defense to an assassination attempt against him by the NPA in Placer, Masbate at around 5 o’clock in the afternoon, Tuesday, August 17.

According to a report, Barangay Chairman Valiente Mangubat of Barangay Villa Innocencio and his aides were invited for a dinner in Barangay Tubod.

When they were about to leave, four NPA members under Elias Pautan Canete AKA Mar of Larangan 2, Komiteng Probinsya 4 of Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) fired upon the group wounding Punong Barangay Mangubat and four of his aides including a 17-year old minor.

Despite his injuries, Punong Barangay Mangubat was able to fire back killing one of the perpetrators identified as Raymond Naraha.

Mangubat and his aides were immediately brought to the nearest hospital for proper medical attention.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia joins the Masbateños in condemning the said attack on government official and civilians staged by the NPA which came four days after their brutal killing of three innocent vendors in Palanas.

Lieutenant Colonel Siegfried Felipe Awichen, Battalion Commander of 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB), directed his troops to conduct pursuit operations together with the PNP against the fleeing terrorists while heightening the security measures laid out in Placer.

Colonel Aldwine Almase, Brigade Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade, said that the recent terroristic attacks by the NPA against the civilians in Masbate and this time, against a government official, only reflects their extreme desperation seeing their group’s continuing collapse as terrorism has no place in the people of the province.

“The NPA is trying to regain their ground and project its presence in Masbate by threatening the government officials and the Masbateños who are now supporting the campaign against communist terrorism. Ngunit sa halip na matakot, lalo lamang umiigting ang pagnanais ng mga Masbateño na tuluyang puksain ang teroristang grupong ito na naghahasik ng karahasan sa mga komunidad at pumapaslang ng mga walang kalaban-labang sibilyan,” Col. Almase said.

Meanwhile, PBGEN JONNEL C ESTOMO, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) said that aggressive offensives of the PNP and army forces against the MPA are ongoing to make sure that they will be put behind bars and justice will be served.

“Binabalaan natin ang mga responsable sa krimeng ito na sumuko na lamang sa mga otoridad dahil ang security forces at mga Masbateño ay tulong-tulong sa paghahanap sa kanila upang sila ay maparusahan,” PBGen. Estomo said.

Major General Henry A. Robinson, Commander of JTF Bicolandia, underscored that CTG’s rampant violation of international and domestic laws only creates public outrage.

“Gone are the days when the local populace can still be swayed by fear and threats. Alam na ng mga Bicolano lalo na ng mga Masbateño na upang tuluyang mahinto ang karahasang inihahasik ng teroristang grupong ito ay kailangan nating magkaisa at sama-samang labanan ang insurhensya. Our firm stand against the NPA is the best way to protect our families and our communities. Itong nangyaring ito sa Placer ay patunay na wala sa matinong pag-iisip ang NPA lalo na at may nadamay na namang menor de edad sa kanilang kriminalidad. We, in the Army, will be in close coordination with the PNP to crush these terrorists,” MGen. Robinson said.

NPA’s killing and attack against innocent civilians both violate the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and RA 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

JTF Bicolandia also warned individuals, especially government officials and organizations about the charges they might face for condoning, tolerating and supporting the NPA’s unlawful acts.

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