BACOLOD City – Government officials in Negros Occidental condemned the atrocities of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as the province’s grapple from the menace of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“I am deeply dismayed. I condemn the attacks against our soldiers during a humanitarian mission,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said in a statement.
On Sunday, three soldiers were killed while four others were injured when troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion clashed with the communist rebels in Sitio Tugas, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City.
The troops led by 2nd Lieutenant Ralf Amante Abibico, who was among the casualties, were conducting outer security patrol during the distribution of the social amelioration grant in the area.
When they learned about the presence of NPA rebels extorting food and money from residents, they pursued them. As the soldiers were closing in, the local terrorists set off an improvised explosive device and lobbed grenades at them.
Two of Abibico’s men, Corporal Joel Nobleza and Private First Class Carl Venice Bustamante, were also killed.
Lacson said before COVID-19 struck, the government has been making progress in the peace process with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70, which institutionalizes the “whole of nation” approach in ending the local communist armed conflict through the creation of a national task force.
“The entire world, the entire human race is in the midst of (a) pandemic right now. COVID-19 and the efforts to address it are not a socio-political issue or concern. This is human race survival. Let us not allow this pandemic to diminish our progress to attain real and lasting peace,” he added.
Meanwhile, all the 11 Negrense legislators in the House of Representatives also condemned the violence against the government forces perpetrated by the CPP-NPA.
“We condemn the treacherous and cowardly attack against the soldiers who were in the area to assist in the distribution of the social amelioration (grant) to beneficiaries affected by Covid-19, a clear violation of the unilateral ceasefire agreement,” the congressmen said in a resolution passed on Monday afternoon.
They said that “confirmed reports indicate that the government forces were ambushed (as) the army vehicle suffered from a landmine blast and grenades were thrown at the soldiers. It was not an encounter as claimed by the NPA spokesman.”
The lawmakers added that as they express their deepest sympathies to the families of the fallen soldiers, they also recognize the heroism of all soldiers who are among the selfless front-liners in the fight against COVID-19, and for keeping the peace in Negros Island. (With PNA/PN)
