THE Apolinario Gatmaitan Command (AGC) of the New People’s Army (NPA) condemned the alleged violations of the 302nd and 303rd Brigades of the Philippine Army of their unilateral ceasefire declaration through continuing combat operations.
Ka Juanito Magbanua, NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Command Spokesperson in a statement said, such combat operations cause fear and violate human rights despite their collective efforts to face the crisis brought by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Magbanua cited that in Barangay Luz, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) are allegedly forcing residents they tag as supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) to surrender. They are also launching combat operations in Sitio Kambairan, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City.
In the municipality of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, in Sitios Tibobong and Binataan of Barangay Quintin Remo, 62nd IB troops allegedly pose as members of the NPA and ask for rice from the residents, then return to their detachment in Sitio Mamballo in the same barangay afterwards and are also conducting combat operations in Sitios Agogolo and Bayabasan in Barangay Macagahay in the said municipality.
Also, the 62nd IB are conducting military operations in Sitio Bagtic, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City and Sitio Bungalo, Barangay Santol, Binalbagan.
In the CHICKS area (or Cauayan, Hinobaan, Ilog, Candoni, Kabankalan and Sipalay), troops from the 15th IB alongside the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard continue their combat and intelligence operations. In Sipalay City, combat operations of the 15th IB still going on in Sitios Abo, Lawig Linao, Akol, Calatong and Barasbarasan of Barangay Manlocahoc and Sitio Samac of Barangay Camindangan and Barangay Nabulao. There are also movement of enemy troops in Barangays Bantayan, Magballo, Locotan, Talubangi, Binicuil, Hilamonan and Camingawan in Kabankalan City; Barangays Pinggot, Caningay, Cabian, Haba and Banga in the Municipality of Candoni; Barangay Bacuyangan, Bangga Totong, San Rafael, Alim, Asia and Sangki in the Municipality of Hinobaan and Barangay Yaoyao in the Municipality of Cauayan, the NPA spokesman enumerated.
“These show the deception of the US-Duterte regime behind its unilateral ceasefire declaration that in truth aims to destroy the revolutionary movement, while peoples of the world are fighting the Covid-19,” Magbanua added.
He added, “We are currently confronting the deadly Covid-19 virus, one of the reasons why the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) Central Committee declared a unilateral ceasefire to focus on those affected by the pandemic. All units of the NPA under the AGC were already commanded to suspend tactical offensives against the AFP-PNP and other paramilitary forces in their charge except in cases of active defense from traitorous attacks of AFP-PNP troops. Medical personnel are given leeway so they can give aid and services to the people especially in the countryside. All units of the NPA are also directed to lead in mobilizing the masses of the People’s Democratic Government so they will work collectively in facing the pandemic, improve their understanding of how to avoid the disease and discover possible herbal medicine and other alternative means of cure. The NPA should also initiate orientations on hygiene and sanitation to avoid additional health problems.”