Army slams NPA for torching civilian truck in Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- At least 20 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) burned down a truck in Valencia City, Bukidnon at dawn on Friday, the military said.

Military and police reports said that after burning the truck in Barangay Lilingayon at about 3 a.m., the rebels robbed the driver and a civilian security escort of their cellular phones.

Police said charges will be filed against the rebels.

The military said the incident has been reported to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as proof of NPA violation of the International Humanitarian Law.

Col. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 403rd Brigade, condemned the incident as nothing but an act of terror by the NPA, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

"We strongly condemn the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) - NPA terrorists for its blatant disregard of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) despite signing an agreement to respect IHL," de Leon said.

"The NPA terrorists, with the guidance of their leaders, still continue to attack civilians and their properties," he added.

De Leon pointed out that under the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), civilian population and civilians "shall be treated as such and shall be distinguished from combatants and, together with their property, shall not be the object of attack."

The Army official said attacks against civilians "only fuel our utmost desire to protect our people from these thugs. And in order to fully protect and do our mandate, we need the full cooperation of the public in ensuring that these NPA atrocities will be pre-empted."

Major Gen. Ronald Villanueva, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, also assailed the NPA's "wanton disrespect" for human rights.

"The NDFP that signed CARHRIHL representing the NPA must be made to explain why the NPA attacked a civilian-owned farm equipment," Villanueva said, referring to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the political wing of the NPA.

"What is the ‘direct participation’ of that farm equipment in the armed conflict between the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the NPA? The NDF and the NPA must provide a clear answer," he said. (PNA)