NPA atrocities in Caraga region worsen – AFP

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Atrocities committed by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the Caraga region and Northern Mindanao have worsened since the start of the year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said yesterday.

According to a report from the Army’s 4th Infantry Battalion based in Cagayan de Oro City, NPA rebels have liquidated members of the Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA), killed civilians for not paying “revolutionary taxes,” and burned houses and construction equipment.

The military report was dated Feb. 3 and signed by Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, 4th ID spokesman.

The report said the insurgents killed CAA members Nife Pura, Danilo Bacudan and Ruel Atipon on Jan. 20, Jan. 25 and Jan. 30, respectively.

The rebels also killed a certain Necias Senit Magkanta, 70, and Albert Mendez Nomansia, 35, over the non-payment of “revolutionary taxes.”

The NPA guerrillas also ransacked the houses of active and retired soldiers and their relatives in Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental last Jan. 22.

The AFP report added that the insurgents destroyed six hectares of banana plantations and burned heavy equipment owned by Dole Philippines in Surigao del Sur.

Last Feb. 4, 10 suspected NPA rebels burned construction equipment being used in a multibillion-peso road repair project in Barangay San Pedro, Alegria, Surigao del Norte.

Lt. Col. Vincent Iringan, commander of the 30th Infantry Brigade, has deployed troops to Alegria town to pursue the NPA attackers.