THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stood firm on its report that New People’s Army (NPA) rebels had forcibly taken relief goods intended for the residents of a village (barangay) in Balangiga, Samar.
AFP spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said the incident was validated by the Army’s 8th Infantry Division led by Major General Pio Diñoso.
“He (Diñoso) maintains that the incident happened and that the town chief executive Mayor Graza, in a recent development, admits that indeed the NPAs seized part of the relief goods intended for his constituents,” he said.
He said the Sanguiniang Bayan of Balangiga has even passed a resolution on April 13, condemning the act of the NPAs.
“The document will also attest to the truthfulness of military reports relating to the incident. Barangay officials, for their part, also confirm the detestable acts of these terrorists in taking away what their neighbors badly need as well,” said Arevalo.
Based on the military report, the incident happened on April 7 when barangay officials were distributing relief goods in Sitio Bangon, Barangay Guinmaayohan but around 30 NPA rebels “forcibly took” the relief goods intended for the residents.
However, the resolution passed by the Sangguniang Bayan said the rebels did not “rob” the residents but they were forced to give a portion of their goods to the NPAs.
"The AFP officials stated that the word 'robbery' or 'forcibly taken' may have been too strong in describing what happened but the fact remains that the residents were forced to give portion of their relief to the NPA," the resolution read.
Meanwhile, Arevalo reiterated that the military was willing to assist local government units in the distribution of relief items to the residents, including communist rebels, if they requested for it.
"This is to ensure that the money intended for the people really gets to the beneficiaries and not to unscrupulous groups like the terrorists-extortionists NPA," Arevalo said. (SunStar Philippines)