Villagers Evacuate After Clash – NPA Responsible?
Yesterday afternoon, September 4, 2018, villagers from the municipality of Manjuyod evacuated after the claimed Philippine Army and New People’s Army (NPA) clashed. Hundreds of people evacuated due to the threat. The NPA, however, denied threatening the civilians.
Philippine Army V.S. New People’s Army
The Philippine Army troops were said to be on security patrol when the alleged NPAs shot at them. This lead to an exchange of gunfire before the latter withdrew towards the direction of Barangay Lucay in Manjuyod. The villagers evacuated after Philippine Army soldiers from the 15th Infantry Battalion and an undetermined number of armed men, who are believed to be NPA members, clashed for about five minutes at around 3:15 p.m. in the said area.
The Police Chief of Manjuyod, Senior Inspector Antonio Jabar confirmed that the encounter between the government troops and the suspected communist rebels is connected to last week’s killing of Barangay Panciao chairman Mario Gonzales. Gonzales was gunned down in broad daylight outside his home and succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. The NPA later claimed responsibility for his death.
Senior Inspector Antonio Jabar said they still could not determine the exact number of people who fled the site of the encounter and transferred to the town proper. Critical reports coming from the barangay chairman of Panciao, however, said some 300 people have already evacuated.
He also said that the lawmen, local officials, and the town’s Social Welfare Office are attending to the evacuees who fled their homes in Sitio Basakan, Barangay Panciao.
NPA – Denial of Threats
Leonardo Panaligan Command (LPC) of the NPA denied the charges hurled against them by Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas director Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao.
The NPA do not harass and threat civilians and carries fair judgment based on the order of the People’s Court which is contrary to the claims of Bulalacao,” spokesman of the LPC Ka JB Regalado said.
Regalado also said that the rebels only gave justice to the human rights violation that resulted to the execution of village chiefs Mike Jakosalem and Jekjek Masicampo of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental and former San Agustin, Isabela village chairman Agapito Euroba and Barangay Libas chairman Rhoy Pagapang.
