AFP adjusts operations in North Mindanao after Guingona ambush

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday ordered its forces in Northern Mindanao to readjust their concept of operations following last Saturday’s ambush on the four-vehicle convoy of Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie Guingona.

“My instruction is to prevent further human rights violations in the area and to protect the people as well politicians in the upcoming elections,” newly-installed Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander, Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz, said.

Cruz said that he issued the order to the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan De Oro City. He said that the readjustment would include the launching of military “Bayanihan” emersion activities in areas of Northern Mindanao, where the rebels are known to be actively operating.

“We are going to be extra vigilant because the NPAs are on a rampage in the area,” Cruz said, referring to the series of rebel atrocities in Northern Mindanao, specifically in Misamis, Surigao, Agusan and Bukidnon provinces.

Guingona, wife of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., was wounded after her convoy was blocked and fired at by a group of New People's Army (NPA) members in the outskirts of Gingoog City in Misamir Oriental.

Mayor Guingona’s driver Nestor Velasco and his brother Tomas died at the scene. The mayor’s security escort, Special Police Officer 3 Roland Dimerito, and a civilian identified as Leo Cante were wounded.

The mayor, who is on her third and final term, had attended a village beauty pageant in Barangay Alagatan where she campaigned for her daughter Marie, who is seeking to replace the mayor under the administration Liberal Party (LP).

The NPA has claimed responsibility of the attack, but its spokesman Jorge Madlos apologized and clarified that the attackers did not intend to kill civilians.

The NPA guerrillas fled after a 10-minute gunfight with the mayor’s police escorts.

Meanwhile, Cruz cited that there is an increase in the communist movement's activities in Northern Mindanao.

Pursuit operations

In a related development, pursuing Army troops caught up with the NPA ambushers of Mayor Guingona on Sunday evening in Barangay Samay, a village at the eastern side of Barangay Alagatan.

Maj. Leo Bongosia, 4th Infantry Division spokesman, said the fighting lasted for 20 minutes before the rebels escaped and are now being pursued by combined military and police forces. One soldier was wounded in the encounter.

The military has condemned the attack on Mrs. Guingona, whose family are known to be defenders of human rights in the country.

The mayor's son, Teofisto Guingona III, is a sitting senator.

“If the NPAs could this to a human rights advocate, the more they could inflict harm on ordinary civilians. They’re longer fighting for a cause. They are now plain bandits,” an army officer said.