Military asks public: Denounce NPA harassment

ILOILO CITY, Philippins  — The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division condemned the series of harassment allegedly committed by the New People’s Army (NPA), and called on the people to rally together in denouncing the violence perpetrated by these rebels.

Major John Andrada, 3rd ID public information officer, said “The NPA rebels have no respect for human rights. They would do anything for their money-making scheme.”

These past few days, the NPA vented its acts of violence against civilians, the latest of which was the burning of a tractor at Hacienda Teresa in Brgy. Alicante of E. B. Magalona town in Negros Occidental.

Investigation showed that about 40 armed men, who identified themselves as NPA members, entered the premises of the hacienda, burned the farm tractor, took the M16 service firearm and bandolier of security guard Mario Lachica, and then shot Khristopher Gerza, the hacienda’s time keeper.

Last May 31, the rebels also burned two tractors owned by Jovie Gallo and Erick Gallaga, who refused to comply with the demands for them to pay “revolutionary taxes,” said Andrada.

Last Sunday, two members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion were wounded following an encounter with an NPA platoon in Escalante City, Negros Occidental. On the same day, Eric Matugas, 29, of sitio Bita, was shot dead at around 1:30 p.m. Sunday with .45 caliber pistols by four armed men.

Both the military and the police suspected that these series of harassments might be the rebels’ diversionary tactics in preparation for bigger offensive attacks, or to project that they are still a force to reckon with.  (FREEMAN)