BACOLOD City – Atrocities perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA) in recent months have claimed the lives of at least seven Negrense civilians, according to the Philippine Army.
As of Tuesday, a list provided by the military showed that in June alone, three were killed in this province while four were also murdered by the NPA in Negros Oriental..
Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia town in this province, said these killings clearly show the communist-terrorist group is the top human rights violator in Negros Island.
“The killing of innocent civilians is barbaric, merciless and inexcusable. This reflects the true face of the NPA as terrorists,” Pasaporte stressed.
One of the three victims in this province was farmer Gilbert Garlit, who was gunned down in Sitio Pinanlagan, Barangay Carol-an, Kabankalan City on July 25.
The other two farmers from neighboring Himamaylan City were also shot dead. They were Randy Rociano in Sitio Asaran, Barangay Buenavista on July 12 and Joelito Hilacio in Sitio Lunoy, Barangay Carabalan on June 13.
In Negros Oriental, killed were Deopanis Pacunla and Eldeson Martonillas in Barangay Luz, as well as swine dealers Jimmer Fundador and Romeo Dungoan in Sitio Mandi-e, Barangay Magsaysay, all in Guihulngan City.
Corporal Mark Anthony Quiocson, a soldier front-liner, was also gunned down in Barangay Luz on July 1.
Pasaporte said the killings sparked outrage and condemnation from officials in Guihulngan, but the NPA still justified their atrocities with fabricated lies and put the blame instead on the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“Your Army in Negros adheres to the constitutional rights of each individual at all times. Enough of the sweet-coated propaganda, lies and deceptions of the NPA and the so-called progressive groups masquerading as rights group,” he added.
Pasaporte also said the NPA continues to commit a blatant violation of the Rule of Law, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and now the Anti-Terrorism Law.
“It’s time to move on from communist propaganda to reality. Enough of the killings and exploitation of the people,” he added. (With a report from PNA/PN)
