Ambush: 3 soldiers, 2 others hurt Rebels violate human rights pact - 3rd ID

JAMINDAN, Capiz, Philippines – The New People’s Army in Panay once again violated the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) when it fired upon the soldiers and civilians in a populated area at the boundaries of Barangays Adgao and Ingay in Tubungan town, Iloilo at about 7:55 a.m. the other day.

The two vehicles of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB) were heading towards Poblacion Tubungan to pick-up students for their training at the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Training Center in Iloilo City when the rebels opened fire, wounding two civilians and three soldiers together with an improvised explosive device.

The two wounded civilians were identified as Rex Taala and Pilita Tabiosan, both of Tubungan, but the identities of the injured soldiers were not provided by the military yet.

On the other hand, one NPA rebel identified as Samuel Lauriano alias Rene, was confirmed killed when the soldiers returned fire.

Reinforcements from the 82nd IB conducted pursuit operations and encountered the fleeing NPA rebels in Brgy. Tagpuan of the same town about three hours later.

Two huey helicopters from the Tactical Operations Group 6, 2nd Air Division, Philippine Air Force based at Camp Hernandez in Dingle, Iloilo were dispatched to provide air support to the government troops.

As of press time, the SOCO from the Crime Laboratory of the Police Regional Officer 6 was at the crime scene.

Major Enrico Gil Ileto, spokesman and chief of the Public Affairs Office of the 3rd Infantry Division, said: “This is continued disregard of the CARHRIHL, which the communist group is a signatory.”

Since the deployment of the 82nd IB to southern Panay sometime in 2008, it has been providing regular transportation assistance to the scholars that have undergone training at TESDA.

At least 50 scholars, from Tubungan, Igbaras and Miag-ao towns, have benefited from this assistance. Some of the scholars were former rebels and others were already working abroad.

Major Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr, 3rd ID commander, condemned the atrocity committed by the NPA rebels. “We regret that our effort to help the students from this town was answered by this treacherous act of the rebels. This senseless act of terror will not impede our resolve to bring peace and help our communities. We remain steadfast and continue to provide the needed assistance to the people,” he said.

The CARHRIHL is the first of four agreements in the substantive agenda of the formal talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). This was signed on March 16, 1998 in the Hague, The Netherlands and was approved on April 10, 1998 by the NDFP National Council chairman Maria Orosa and on Aug. 7 that year by then President Joseph Estrada.

CARHRIHL states that parties involved in the agreement should affirm and apply the principles of international humanitarian law in order to protect the civilians and those deprived of their liberty for reasons related to the armed conflict. It also guarantees the right against economic and food blockades and indiscriminate bombings, shelling, strafing, gunfire and the use of landmines.