ILOILO City – Following the April 7 clash between government troops and rebels in Sitio Aguilan, Barangay Panuran, Lambunao, Iloilo the Philippine Army’s 3rd infantry Division (3ID) and the New People’s Army (NPA) accused one another of violating their respective unilateral ceasefire.
In a statement, the NPA’s Coronacion Chiva “Waling-waling” Command claimed troops of the Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade (IB) fired at them first.
No so, insisted the 3ID.
On March 19, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire until April 15, citing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
On March 25, the Communist Party of the Philippines (the political arm of the NPA), made a similar declaration and covering the same period.
According to the 3ID, troops of the 301IB were in the area for COVID-19 information dissemination but the rebels fired at them.
“The soldiers deployed in Lambunao were not fighters,” insisted 3ID spokesperson Army Captain Cenon Pancito III. “We have no choice but to engage (the rebels because we were) being attacked. Nandoon pa rin ang aming duty to protect the people.”
The Army soldiers and rebels exchanged fire at around 5:45 a.m. It lasted for some 20 minutes.
Private First Class Mark Nemias of Madalag, Aklan was killed.
The rebels withdrew toward Barangay Agcarope, Janiuay town. They were believed to be from the Baloy Platoon, Central Front Committee, Kilusang Rehiyon Panay of the NPA and led by Ka Kandoy.
Army soldiers recovered from the encounter site a rifle and bullets. They believed they were able to hurt or even kill some rebels, too, and this was bolstered by reports from village residents.
“People of the barangay reported have seen rebels carrying wounded or dead comrades,” said Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office./PN
