BACOLOD City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division hit back at the New People’s Army (NPA) for condemning the alleged militarization in central Negros Island.
The NPA’s claim is “obsolete and repetitive,” which indicates the absence of issues to jeopardize the activities of the army and the government, according to 3rd Division commander Brigadier General Dinoh Dolina’s statement on Thursday.
“They have been tossing the issue at us out of desperation,”Dolina added.
Dolina was reacting to the statement that the NPA’s Leonardia Panaligan Commandissued through its spokesman Ka JB Regalado last week.
The NPA accused that members of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division assigned in some hinterland areas in Negros Island are operating against the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.
Dolina stressed that it is the Army’s mandate to safeguard the people from the NPA, who he claimed are “truly responsible for the militarization and terrorism against the people.”
“Our presence in the hinterlands is a response to the cry of the community who are victims of your endless and ruthless criminal activities. Does helping the community bring their issues and concerns to the local government units and other government agencies now mean militarization?” added Dolina, addressing the NPA.
The NPA admitting to have a hand in killing a retired police officer and a soldier in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental is an evidence of the rebels’ “barbaric acts,” he also stressed. (With PNA/PN)
