LIEUTENANT Colonel Melvin Flores, acting commanding officer of 62 Infantry Battalion (IB), said the recent killing of a soldier by the New People's Army (NPA) is a manifestation of a human rights violation.
"Despite the pandemic, these terrorists took advantage of the situation to execute their terroristic acts instead of helping the people. With this incident, the NPA really showed their true color, to terrorize the people of Central Negros. I, together with the 62IB troopers, will continue to do mandate to ensure the safety of every citizen but then with the help of PNP (Philippine National Police)," Flores said.
The victim, Army Corporal Mark Anthony Quiocson, was reportedly killed by the Special Partisan Unit of the NPA on July 1, 2020, in Sitio Compound, Barangay Luz, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
Quiocson was a frontline member of the Community Support Program of the 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion, who served at a Covid-19 Community Control Point. He had extended assistance in barangay development programs.
On Wednesday, he was on his way back to his Community Support Program team onboard a motorcycle when he was waylaid in Sitio Compound, Barangay Luz by four unidentified suspects. He was shot several times by perpetrators, hitting different parts of his body that caused his untimely death, the army reported.
Recovered from the crime scene were eight empty shells of caliber .45, six empty shells of caliber 9mm, one live ammunition of caliber .45, and one slug of unknown caliber. His helmet was reportedly removed by the NPA before shooting him in the head to make sure that he is dead.
After the killing, the NPA took the victim's issued firearm, cash and ATM cards to include cash of his fellow soldiers that were sent by their families. They also took off the shoes that he was wearing and even the seafood (squid and shrimp) he brought for his teammate, the army further reported.
"To the family of Corporal Quiocson, we are extending our sympathy and sincere condolences. Rest assured that all assistance will be given to his immediate family. His heroism will forever be remembered and will serve as our strong guide to further strengthen and intensify our efforts to eliminate these heartless terrorists the soonest," Flores said.
"We are also appealing to the people of Guihulngan City for your support in identifying and locating these criminals to give justice to the victim and to serve the long arm of the law,” Flores added.