BY GLENDA TAYONA AND RUBY SILUBRICO
ILOILO – Excessive, unnecessary and disproportionate.
This was how the Regional Operational Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Panay Island described the Philippine Army’s use of high-powered weapons during the Dec. 1 attack on the former’s lair in Barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao town. The government troops, however, said the operation was legitimate.
“Millions of funds were squandered to fight a small NPA unit that was conducting services to the people affected by hunger and the pandemic,” said the Coronacion “Waling-Waling” Chiva Command Rehiyon Panay in a statement.
They said the attack was “unreasonable, without honor and violates international laws.”
“The bombing resulted in immense destruction of the masses’ livelihood, damaged wildlife and environment, and had sown terror among civilians,” they added.
The rebels noted that while the military “wildly condemn the NPA’s use of command-detonated explosives, they boast their use of hundred-kilo bombs that result to permanent and massive damage to the environment and land.”
The Coronacion “Waling-Waling” Chiva Command Rehiyon Panay said it was investigating the identities of the casualties but that it was almost impossible given the indescribable state of the recovered cadavers.
“If ever the victims are indeed members of the NPA, we will own and acknowledge them, honor their heroism, extend sympathies and assistance and grieve with their families and comrades,” the group added.
Troops of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB, under the 301st Infantry Brigade) and 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company led the assault around 6 a.m. last week bolstered by air support using FA50 fighter jets.
The clash lasted for several hours after which the government troops recovered eight bodies and seized three M16 rifles, an AK47 rifle, four anti-personnel mines, three detonators, a projector, subversive documents with high intelligence value, and assorted personal belongings.
Sixteen rebels were killed, according to the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID). Nine have so far been identified. One was Joven Ceralvo alias “Lex” whom the military claimed was the second deputy secretary of Kometing Rehiyon-Panay (SF KR-P) Southern Front and commanding officer of the Front Operational Command, Kometing Rehiyon-Panay (FOC KR-P).
According to the Coronacion “Waling-Waling” Chiva Command Rehiyon Panay, peasants in Miag-ao and southern Panay were yet to recover from the devastation of recent typhoons, heavy rainfall, meager harvest, and destruction of vegetable crops, and they were dispatched to assist the farmers there.
It accused the Armed Forces of gross violations on the rules of war and international humanitarian law , particularly the provisions regarding the disproportionate use of force against opponent forces, those protecting the rights of hors de combat and civilian communities around the site of attack.
They added that the “AFP’s unreasonable use of excessive force is a proof of their terrorism in the countryside that brings destruction and fear among the farmers. It is also illogical for the AFP to blame the revolutionary movement for their own brutality and violence.”
The NPA called on the people to decry the attack and challenged local leaders to stand against the AFP’s “coercion and protect their constituents against military atrocities.”
The group also blasted 3ID’s commander, Major General Benedict Arevalo whom they said “spew fat lies that there (were) more than 70 NPA fighters gathering to plan attacks.”
On the other hand, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said there were no violations on the rules of war and international humanitarian law.
“That was a successful decisive operation. There was no collateral damage from the community or any civilian affected,” said Brigadier General Marion Sison of the 301st Brigade.
“Ang AFP ay hindi gumagawa ng indiscriminate firing, bombing or anything na maapektuhan ang ating kababayan,” he added. “The attack was planned for two days because we have very good intelligence at very good information not only from one source, but many sources.”
Sison said at least 20 rebels were wounded, and they are still in the mountains.
Meanwhile, Arevalo said operations against the rebels would continue.
“Your Army in Panay is calling na magbalik loob na at mamumuhay nang tahimik. It’s Christmas time. Sama-sama tayo mag-celebrate,” Arevalo said.
As of press time, five cadavers have been claimed by their families and relatives./PN
