Army blames CPP-NPA-NDF for soldier’s killing in Occ. Mindoro

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 28, 2023): Army blames CPP-NPA-NDF for soldier’s killing in Occ. Mindoro (By MARTIN SADONGDONG)

AT A GLANCE

• The Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) condemned the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) on Thursday, April 27, after a soldier was allegedly killed by rebels in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

• Lt. Col. Hector Estolas, chief of 2ID public affairs office, identified the slain soldier as Private Mayuay Onaw, of the 4th Infantry “Scorpion” Battalion.

The Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) condemned the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) on Thursday, April 27, after a soldier was allegedly killed by rebels in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

(Courtesy of 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army)

Lt. Col. Hector Estolas, chief of 2ID public affairs office, identified the slain soldier as Private Mayuay Onaw, of the 4th Infantry “Scorpion” Battalion.

According to a military report, Onaw was on his way home to Sitio Danlog after buying construction materials in another village when he was fired upon and held captive by eight fully-armed gunmen last April 25.

Onaw was with six other individuals, including his two children, when the incident occurred.

According to the military, three of the victims managed to escape but Onaw, his two children, and another local were overpowered by the gumen after the shooting incident. The victims were then blindfolded and held by the suspects.

The 2ID said that Onaw’s children and the fourth victim were later released but the soldier was “murdered with his body dumped at the location of the shooting incident.”

The incident came three weeks after the military reported that a certain James Angeles, a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA), was stabbed to death by suspected NPA rebels in Brgy. Iriron, Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro on April 3.

Citing “reports,” the 2ID said that an alias Saylo, alleged head of the NPA Regional Operations Command; alias Insay, alleged secretary of the Sub-Regional Military Area (SRMA) 4D; and alias Lino, alleged leader of SRMA 4D’s Platun Serna, were the ones behind Angeles’ death.

“We strongly condemn these atrocious acts of the CPP-NPA-NDF which led to the deaths of our troops,” said Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong, commander of 2ID.

The 2ID also bared that two CAFGU members and two civilians went missing in Mindoro provinces since January.

A certain Donald Arieta, a CAFGU member, was reported missing in Brgy. San Vicente, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 10.

Meanwhile, CAGU member Ruffy Avila, and civilians Solomon Puroginto and Jolas Avila also went missing in Brgy. Ligaya, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro on Jan. 26. The three are all members of the Tai Buhid tribe and residents of Sitio Pusog, Brgy. Brigada in Sablayan town.

“It’s believed these incidents are part of the NPA’s new modues ‘ Oplan Paglilinis-Base Hatol Pamamarusa’ which aims to so terror in the communities, including CAAs and their families who are woking with the government forces,” Estolas said.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/28/army-blames-cpp-npa-ndf-for-soldier-s-killing-in-occ-mindoro