The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) on Wednesday, May 21, assailed the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for falsely claiming that the individuals they killed recently were military intelligence personnel.
Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, said the victims are not connected with their unit and strongly condemned the senseless acts of violence against innocent civilians.
He stressed that the CPP-NPA “clearly meant to justify the brutal killings of innocent civilians” in their allegation that they are associated with the 79IB, which is based in Sagay City in northern Negros Occidental.
Last week, the NPA’s Roselyn Jean Pelle Command said they killed a former member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit in Barangay Tabun-ac, Toboso on May 14.
Earlier this year, they also claimed to have executed three civilians, whom they accused of being military spies.
Calaoagan said the CPP-NPA is so desperate that they even take credit for incidents that were not of their doing.
“These are all in an attempt to sow fear, create chaos, and strengthen their continuous extortion activities among the poor and vulnerable. We strongly condemn these senseless acts of violence that show the CPP-NPA’s utter disregard for human life, human rights, and the peace that our communities strive to maintain,” he said.
The 79IB chief called on Negrenses to denounce the atrocities of the communist terrorist group and support government efforts to put an end to local communist armed conflict.*PNA