Army condemns killing of girl

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division in Western Visayas has condemned the latest harassment allegedly perpetrated by rebels, which claimed the life of a 14-year-old girl.

3ID spokesperson Major John Andrada said the girl, identified as Baying Amion, was sleeping when the rebels fired at the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso, Negros Occidental midnight yesterday. She was hit on the face with one bullet piercing her head. Amion was a grade five student.

An exchange of bullets ensued when members of the CAFGU returned fire. The rebels reportedly retreated after five minutes.

"The communist terrorists' firing position is just a few meters away from the detachment, which is at the back to where our CAFGUs returned their fire," Andrada said.

Aside from the CAFGU detachment, the rebels also allegedly harassed the headquarters of the 62nd Infantry Brigade in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City, also in Negros Occidental.

"But these all went to naught because our soldiers have stepped up their offense and defense stance against local terrorists' attacks," Andrada said.

Andrada said it is possible that the attacks were carried out to celebrate the 42nd founding anniversary of the New People's Army. 3ID commanding officer Major General Vicente Porto also said the harassment was an offshoot of the instructions of the NPA higher command to conduct terror operations.

"These sort of NPA tactical terror operations are expected by our units as they traditionally and violently celebrate their founding anniversary to comply with instructions," Porto said.

Porto said that it was just unfortunate that the violence had to claim the life of an innocent civilian.

"We condemn this terroristic, dastardly act of the so-called Northern Negros Command of the NPA. This is an attack against the peace- loving people of Negros," Porto added.

Porto also called on the public to shun the presence of the CPP-NPA-NDF terror groups and condemn their terror acts.

"Their lies, deceptions, and presence are the real obstacles on our road to peace," he said. – (FREEMAN)