NPA admits to killing of 2 soldiers in Albay

From the Manila Times (Feb 21, 2023): NPA admits to killing of 2 soldiers in Albay (By Rhaydz B. Barcia)

Legazpi City: Two soldiers were gunned down by members of the New People's Army at the market of Barangay Cotmon in Camalig town at 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21.

Dennis Misolania, village chieftain of Cotmon and concurrent ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said that the victims were shot dead by three gunmen while buying food in the market.

PMaj. Aarron Llagas, chief of Camalig Municipal police station said that the victims, identified as Pvt. Mark June D. Esico and Pvt John Paul C. Adalim, were active members of the military under the 31st Infantry Battalion.

The Santos Binamera Command of the New People's Army operating in Albay admitted to the killing of the two soldiers.

Florante Orobia, spokesman of the Santos Binamera Command (NPA-Albay), said that Esico and Adalim were security details at the infrastructure project of Centerways Construction in Barangay Sulong.

One caliber.45 revolver was seized from the soldiers, Orobia said in a statement.

The Philippine Army in Bicol strongly condemned the killing of Esico and Adalim.

According to a statement by the Philippine Army, the communist rebels took advantage of the situation while the government troops of the 31st Infantry Battalion were busy assisting in the search and rescue operation of the Cessna plane that crashed in Albay.

The Army regional command reported that Esico and Adalim suffered severe multiple bullet wounds in their bodies resulting in their instantaneous death.

"The two soldiers were in the market when five armed men ambushed them and three of them indiscriminately shot the victims," the Army regional command statement here said.

Major General Adonis Bajao, commander of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division and Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB), said that the NPA in Bicol is desperate to retaliate following the successive accomplishments of the 9ID against the insurgency in the Bicol Region.

"The terrorist groups are too desperate because of the ceaseless operation in the mountains by the Philippine Army which has further weakened their group," he said.

"This is also a display of their cowardice and lack of respect for human rights by taking lives including the soldiers assigned to extend assistance to save the lives of our countrymen. I extend my condolences to the families left behind by our heroic soldiers."

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/21/news/regions/npa-admits-to-killing-of-2-soldiers-in-albay/1879670