ILOILO – The New People’s Army’s (NPA) Coronacion “Waling-Waling” Chiva Command said the recent explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) in the boundary of barangays Pangilihan and Canawili in Janiuay town was not intended to harm Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
“Wala sang intensyon ang NPA nga atakihon o halitan si Iloilo governor Arthur Defensor Jr., or si Janiuay mayor Bienvenido Margarico kag iban pa nga sibiliyan nga tuyo kuntani magkadto sa Barangay Panuran,” according to Ka Julio Montana, Waling-Waling spokesperson, in a press statement.
“Sa tanan nga tion, bitbit sang hangaway kag unit sang NPA ang disiplina, nga tubtub masarangan, likawan nga maulamid ang mga sibilyan sa mga operasyon kag inaway nga ginalunsar sang NPA,” he added.
The explosion happened on March 3 while personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion Region 6 and the Armed Forces of the Philippines were conducting a clearing operation prior to the groundbreaking of the Japan International Cooperation Agency-funded agro-forestry support facility.
No one was hurt in the blast.
The military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines said, unlike the Army, they would never intentionally harm civilians during battles.
“Kabaliskad ini sa ginahimo sang AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) kag PNP (Philippine National Police) nga wala patugsiling sa pagpalupok sang ila armas bisan pa nga may masalabat nga nga sibilyan kag simple lang nga kabigon nga disgrasya o patu-patuan nga mga NPA ang ila naigo or napatay,” the group added.
Montana likewise warned civilians to avoid riding in patrol cars or military vehicles so as not to be caught in the crossfire.
He also advised politicians not to hire members of the PNP or AFP as their bodyguards or escorts.
Governor Defensor would have attended the said event but begged off. He just returned from Metro Manila and was cautious not to expose himself to people, although he was negative of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Jamindan, Capiz condemned the rebels’ attack.
“The use of IED is an old tactic of the NPA. In fact, it is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law but the rebels continue to justify its use,” said Army Major Cenon Pancito III, 3ID spokesperson.
“The 3ID will never allow the NPA’s desperate actions derail the government’s peace and development efforts in the area,” he added./PN
