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Thursday, December 22, 2005
Rebels own murder of 4 soldiers in Tagum
By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE New People's Army (NPA) owned the murder of four Army soldiers inside Tagum City public market Tuesday morning saying that the soldiers were punished for their war crimes.
In a statement, Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of Merardo Arce Command, said operatives of their Ka Paking Guimbaolibot Red Partisan Brigade were responsible for the death of Captain Marcelo C. Quitiquit, Senior Sergeant Joebert Tagulimot, Senior Sergeant Bernardo Evasco, and Private First Class Renante Santos of the Army's 404th Brigade based in Mawab, Compostela Valley.
"That a civilian who was in the company of the targets was hit, according to reports, is quite regrettable. This may have been the result of the brief scuffle that ensued between Captain Quitiquit and one NPA operative. The Merardo Arce Command awaits the full report of the guerrilla team and shall appropriately address this concern. Although this was unintentional on the part of the operatives, the Command conveys its apologies to the civilian who was accidentally hit," Sanchez said.
Sanchez said, "The fascist enemy clearly deserved the punishment they receive from the NPA."
"The masses in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental are aware of the long list of war crimes perpetrated under the command of the 404th Brigade. Violations of human rights and international humanitarian law have been committed as the enemy conduct regular and special military operations in the countryside," he said.
The rebel said this recent NPA tactical offensive just shows that "the fascist enemy cannot escape the long arm of revolutionary justice."
"This is because the political influence of the armed revolutionary movement has grown beyond the countryside and has reached the masses in the rural plains and even in the cities," Sanchez said.
Colonel Antonio Amodia, commander of the Army's 404th Infantry Brigade, said the wife of one of the slain soldiers was wounded in the head and remains in critical condition.
Amodia said the soldiers, their wives, and children went to Tagum City to shop for Christmas.
He said they were about to board their service van when at least six suspects emerged and started shooting them using assault rifles.
Amodia said the soldiers were apparently caught off-guard because Tagum, which is about 60 kilometers north of this city, is a peaceful city.
"They apparently were not able to return fire at the attackers," he said.
Amodia added based on reports reaching him, the suspects were on three motorcycles.
Amodia suspected that the NPA carried out the attack to force the government into declaring a Christmas ceasefire.
He said it might also be intended as a grand show because of the communist movement's founding anniversary this month.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (December 22, 2005 issue)
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