Military slams rebels for Negros attack

MANILA, Philippines - The military on Monday condemned the bloody ambush staged by suspected communist rebels in Negros Occidental Sunday, calling it a violation of international law.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the ambush, which left nine persons dead, violated the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law as it victimized non-combatants.

“Despite our openness to the rebels returning to the democratic fold, the NPA (New People’s Army) rebels continue to wage armed violence, disrupt the peace-building initiatives of the government and even disrespect the peace process,” Burgos said in a statement.

“Moreover, they (NPA) continue to capitalize on soft targets, often resolving to inhumane tactics including the use of Improvised Explosive Devices, conduct of ambuscades, extortion activities, and sabotage of vital economic facilities,” he added.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the attack showed the true intentions of the rebels.

“They introduced the true objective of their organization and they do not distinguish soldiers from civilians,” Gazmin said in a chance interview.

Nine persons were killed and nine others were hurt in an attack staged by suspected NPA members Sunday morning in La Castellana, Negros Occidental

Killed during the ambush were PO1 Richard Canja of the La Castellana police station; barangay councilmen Lito Lucban, Teotimo Espleguera and Mario Ricablanca; Ulysses Camayor, Jonathan Mateo and Ramil Trompeta who were members of a local peacekeeping team driver Ricky Dingcong, and civilian Virginia Ordoñez.

Authorities identified the wounded persons as PO2 Jeffrey Alvarez, PO3 Constantino Villegas, Roger Behar, Jerry Lacuedo, Jamil Roma, Jason Oximar, Bonifacio Bayate, Cristituto Perolino, and Victoriano Donasco.

Police reports said the victims were traversing barangay Puso on board a Fuzo Center truck when they were waylaid by armed men at around 3:45 a.m.

Witnesses reportedly heard the armed men shout “Mabuhay ang NPA (Long live the NPA)” after staging the attack.

The attack happened despite the implementation of a natiowide election gun ban which started last Jan. 13.

Gazmin and Burgos said they would continue their security operations to promote peace in areas affected by insurgency.

“While we support the efforts of the government for peace and development, our focused combat operations will continue to target those who continue to pursue armed violence that has caused suffering to our people and loss of innocent lives,” Burgos said.

The military and the police has activated Task Force La Castellana to run after the perpetrators.

“Our troops in the area will strictly follow the rules of engagement and will respect and promote human rights in all our operations,” Burgos said. – Alexis Romero