Three soldiers killed in Mindanao rebel attacks
By Al Jacinto
The Manila Times – www.manilatimes.net
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Three government soldiers were killed and five more wounded in a firefight with communist rebels in the southern Philippines, officials said Tuesday.
Officials said the fighting broke out in the village of Maputi in Davao Oriental’s Banaybanay town where New People’s Army (NPA) rebels also attacked a government road project on Monday.
Capt. Emmanuel Garcia, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the soldiers were guarding the road project when rebels attacked them.
“We value the sacrifice of our troops from the 28th Infantry Battalion securing the Mati-Tagum road project who fought back in order to protect the interest of the people,” he said.
He said the rebels fled after the attacks, commandeering three dump trucks and using its drivers as shield from pursuing troops. He said the rebels freed one of the drivers, but held on to the others to help them carry their dead and wounded.
Garcia said the rebel attack was triggered by the failure of the construction firm, Maverick, to pay illegal taxes to the NPA.
“Such brutality is intended to sow fear and panic among our people and coerce them to support their large-scale extortion syndicate and prohibit our citizens from cooperating with authorities. Their increased level of attacks not only to soldiers, but against noncombatants is a ploy to force helpless people to bow down to their oppressive anti-people and anti-development policy particularly in the countryside which reveals that they are not fighting for any ideology at all,” Garcia added.
But a rebel spokesman, Simon Santiago, said the attack was aimed at a military patrol base in the village.
He said rebels raided the patrol base and seized at least 11 high-powered weapons, including machine guns and grenade launchers.
“A composite team of the New People’s Army’s 3rd Pulang Bagani Company and Front 18 Operations Command in Southern Mindanao raided the 28th Infantry Battalion patrol base.Three were instantly killed and four were wounded on the enemy side, while two surrendered and were freed by the Red fighters,” he said.
The rebel attacks came a day after the military deployed hundreds of soldiers in Davao Oriental province to augment thousands of troops battling the communist insurgency in the restive region.
Extra-judicial killings down
People's Journal – www.journal.com.ph
Thursday, May 27, 2010
BRIG. Gen. Francisco N. Cruz Jr, Commander of the Civil Relations Service, met with Commission on Human Rights chairperson Leila de Lima last week to discuss human rights issues affecting both agencies and cultivate closer coordination.
De Lima lauded the AFP’s seriousness in putting an end to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances as proven by decreased number of cases.
“While there remain reports about human rights violations which are still under validation, I am glad that in 2009 there was a very dramatic reduction in cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances,” she said.
Cruz assured the CHR that the AFP is one with the commission in upholding life and human rights.
“We will work hand-in-hand with the CHR to find new and long-term solutions to problems relating to human rights and we volunteered support to Barangay Human Rights Action Center and for CRSAFP Group Commanders to engage with CHR Regional Directors.”
Both parties agreed that the AFP, through the CRS, will submit a report to the CHR on human rights violations relayed from the field.
The Armed Forces also welcomed the two advisories issued by the CHR against the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army extortion schemes.
Taking exception to a United Nations report, the AFP cited its commitment and determination to protect the rights and dignity of every individual, especially children and minors.
“The UN report seemed inaccurate, unverified, and unsubstantiated. The AFP firmly believes in equal rights and equal opportunities for every person. Even our enemies’ right to life is respected. And we endeavor to return freedom to those who lost them, especially to our children, whom others – particularly illegally armed groups — took advantage of,” Cruz said.
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