The slain Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leaders, couple Wilma (front) and Benito Tiamzon (right). (PNA file photo)
CEBU CITY – The Visayas Command (Viscom) on Friday branded as mere propaganda the statement released by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) surrounding the death of leaders, couple Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.
“The statement is nothing but mere propaganda. This a blatant attempt of the CPP to once again deceive the Filipino people by spreading lies and fabricating stories,” Viscom chief Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said in a statement.
Arevalo said the allegations that the Tiamzon couple were captured and tortured have been part of their misinformation to discredit the successful operation of the government against the communist terrorist groups.
He added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines has long suspected the death of the Tiamzon couple after the encounter between government forces and the communist members on August 22, 2022, off Catbalogan City.
“However, there was no apprehension or capture, not even torture that occurred as alleged in the article. The operation launched was a legitimate operation, as the government acted upon the information that several NPA key personalities were escaping from the ongoing focused military operation launched in Northern Samar,” Arevalo said.
The pursuing troops “were fired upon while communicating with the operator of the motorboat using a megaphone to halt for visual inspection, and in the middle of the firefight, the boat exploded,” he added.
His statement came after CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena claimed that the Tiamzon couple and 10 other individuals were abducted while on their way to Catbalogan City and were subsequently held captive and tortured in Samar before they were killed.
Valbuena further claimed that their remains were dumped on a motorboat with explosives and tugged from Catbalogan midway to Tarangnan before it was detonated.
Despite the claims of the CPP, Arevalo still welcomed its confirmation that the Tiamzon couple and eight other members of the Central Committee were killed during the encounter.
“Justice has indeed been served. The fugitives’ demise, if it is indeed true, is a huge loss to the terrorist group, as this would create a leadership vacuum in their organization and cause them to lose operational direction on the ground,” the Viscom chief said.
Arevalo called upon the few remaining members of the CPP’s armed wing, the New People’s Army in the Visayas to “lay down your arms and return to the folds of the law while you still can.”
“Your leaders continue to fall, the same as your group continues to stumble and suffer defeat. Do not let the long arms of justice catch up with you,” the Army official added. (PNA)
