Military condemns NPA killing of unarmed soldier

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The military is condemning the killing of its soldier, who was unarmed and was only doing peace development works when killed allegedly by hitmen of the New People’s Army.

Lieutenant Col. Rodrigo Sosmeña, commander of the 47th Infantry Battalion, said 29-year-old Pfc. John Ilisan was shot in the head which caused his instantaneous death, in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental Tuesday morning.

“The killing of Ilisan, who was doing community peace and development works, was not only an attack to the unit but to the farmers and peace-loving people of Sipalay City,” Sosmeña said.

“This was a plain display of desperation on the part of the NPA who cannot accept that they are already alienated from the farmers’ support,” said the military official.

Ilisan, a member of the Peace and Development Team (PDT), was with a fellow soldier in buying food stuffs early on a market day at sitio Camboguiot for the PDT’s consumption, when he was shot by three to five hitmen, according to Capt. Leo Christopher Cunanan, spokesperson of the 303rd Infantry Brigade.

Sosmeña said Ilisan was helping the farmers of barangays Camindangan and Manlucahoc on their land ownership and tenurial concerns by serving as a conduit between the farmers and the government agencies.

“Nevertheless, we will continue our commitment to the farmers to help them and free them from the deceit and manipulation of the NPA,” Sosmeña said.

Colonel Oscar Lactao, commander of the 303rd IBde, said, “Our deepest sympathy goes with the family and loved ones of Ilisan. What he fought for peace and development in Negros will surely be continued.”

He described the slain Ilisan as “the epitome of a PDT operator; Unarmed at that time, who lived with the people he served.”

The military is currently in pursuit operations of Ilisan’s killers, Sosmeña added. — THE FREEMAN