GRIEVING. Girlie Jane Raymunde weeps after seeing the dead body of his 10-year-old brother killed when the New People's Army detonated a landmine in San Miguel village, Las Navas, Northern Samar on April 17. She labelled the NPA's latest atrocity as heartless, cruel, and inhuman. (Video grab from Philippine Army 20th Infantry Batallion)
TACLOBAN CITY -- For Girlie Jane Raymunde, the latest atrocity of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Las Navas, Northern Samar resulting in the untimely death of her 10-year-old brother is unforgivable.
In her social media post on April 19, 22-year-old Girlie Jane, an agriculture student of University of Eastern Philippines, said she almost lost her breath when she saw the dead body of her brother Armando, whose dream was to become a soldier.
“What the NPA did is heartless, cruel, and inhuman. I was shocked and speechless to see the fatal wounds of my young brother from head to toe after the landmine attack. It’s even hard to accept condolences. He’s too young to die!” Girlie Jane said.
The rebels detonated a landmine near a temporary patrol base of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion (IB) Charlie Company in San Miguel village at around noon of April 17 with the intention to kill soldiers but instead killed the boy.
San Miguel village, which is about 15 kilometers away from the town center, can be reached through a bumpy and muddy road on motorcycles.
The boy’s father, Allan, a 46-year-old farmer, said the NPA should spare civilians in their war against the government.
“My son is the only one in the area where rebels detonated the landmine. There are no soldiers standing nearby,” he said.
The Philippine Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion based in Las Navas town posted a video interview of the victim’s family on Friday, two days after the incident.
Armando’s mother, Glina, 45, denounced the NPA and asked them to return to the folds of law and stop their senseless armed struggle.
“My son’s death is a proof that insurgency is nothing but killing innocent people, including young ones,” Glina said.
The landmine attack happened two days after two soldiers were killed by rebels while inspecting an ongoing road project in San Antonio and Catotogan villages, also in Las Navas, a fourth-class town in Northern Samar province.
The military also condemned the NPA for using landmines in their attacks, which shows disrespect for basic human rights. The rebels also disregarded the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
The NPA, which has been engaged in a five-decade armed struggle, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
