NPAs seize firearms in Army outpost raid

MANILA, Philippines - Posing as soldiers and in the company of a village head and a tribal chief they had kidnapped, New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas overran an Army outpost without firing a single shot in Paquibato district in Davao City last Thursday afternoon.

The insurgents led by Leoncio Pitao alias Commander Parago seized high-powered firearms from militiamen manning the outpost in Barangay Mapula.

“The NPA celebrates International Human Rights Day by kidnapping a tribal chieftain and barangay captain and using them as hostages to gain entry into the militiamen’s detachment in Paquibato district,” said Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon, operations chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division based in Panacan, Davao City.

De Leon said Pitao and his followers completely disregarded the safety of civilians when they swooped down on the Army outpost.

Prior to the attack, Pitao and his men, all clad in military uniforms, snatched the tribal chief and barangay head from a nearby village and then used them as cover to gain entry into the government militiamen’s camp.

Before fleeing, the rebels ransacked the Army outpost of guns and ammunition as well as valuables, and also took hostage the detachment commander as human shield.

“It is lamentable that this deceitful incident happened during the celebration of International Human Rights Day. We, as soldiers, continue to promote peace and development while these illegal armed groups continue to spread violence. This is their way of celebrating International Human Rights Day,” De Leon said.

What the rebels did, he said, was a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law that prohibits unlawful use of the military uniform and employment of hostages.

Despite the incident, De Leon said the military will continue to pursue all its peace initiatives.

“We assure the people that the 10th Infantry ‘Agila’ Division shall continue to promote peace and development and adhere to the protection and respect of human rights,” he said. – With Alexis Romero