The Communist New People’s Army rebels in a email statement sent to this writer on ground report claims a explosion that took the life a young girl and wounded several others was the result of a ‘military operation’ and not the failed assembly of an IED weapon near civlian homes.
In a statement sent via a link from the groups website with a request that I publish also the side of the rebel group’s local command’s press release in the wake of military statements i wrote about a five days ago here the group claims. "
The statement went on to say that, "The barrio people believed that this deplorable incident was caused by an explosive which hit and exploded in the front yard of their family home where the two children were playing." the statement sent via a internet link to the National Democratic front’s website also says,
"Ordinary civilians cannot help but ask the following questions: Are the two NPA fighters that brave or foolish to assemble an improvised explosive device knowing that they are less than five minutes away from a platoon-size detachment of the military? And how come that this platoon of the Philippine Army had no idea that there are NPA fighters near the perimeter of their camp? And how is it that the two NPA, who were themselves handling the explosives escaped with minor injuries, while the two children who were supposed to be watching were killed and severely wounded?" the statement written by JURIE GUERRERO Jose Percival Estocada, Jr. Command of the NPA in Central Panay.claims.
The rebels also say that, "This absurd statement and denial of the military leadership of their atrocities is not new to the Tumanduk people especially to the people of Barangay Tacayan. " on the statment they emailed this writer. "This latest bloody incident clearly shows the deceptive and anti-people objective of Oplan Bayanihan (Aquino government counter-insurgency program) and adds to the long bloody record of the notorious butcher battalion, the 61st Infantry Battalion, which is the main implementing battalion of this program in the island of Panay through the Peace and Development Teams or PDT." or so the rebel website statement says in its release today.
The National Democratic Front and its Armed Wing the New Peoples Army is listed on the US State Department’s website as a FTO or foreign terrorist organization. it has been waging a maoist rebelion in the Philippines since the 1960’s and is extensive in its influence while generally enegaged in peace talks with government it has also had clashes with the Philippine military over the years.
In 2003, on the request of the Philippine Government, "The United States added the Communist Party of the Philippines/ New People’s Army (CPP/NPA) to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and it added CPP/ NPA and CPP leader Jose Maria Sison to the list of entities and individuals designated under Executive Order 13224." this writer posts excerpts from the rebels statement as a journalist but complies fully with lawful agencies as may be required by law.
AFP Denies Military behind blast: Open to any probe or investigation
In reaction the Civil relations staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Firday released this statement on claims the AFP was allegedly behind the explosion.
Lt. Col. Christopher Sab-it, 61IB commanding officer, believed that his troops were not involved in the said explosion that killed a 7-year old girl and injured her 4-year old sister after the ammunitions issued to personnel based in Tacayan were all accounted for.
Far from hurting civilians, Sab-it said that 61IB soldiers were assigned in this area to conduct peace and development works that would serve as a link between the local government of Tapaz and the different local government agencies in Capiz province in the delivery of basic services to the people.
He added that the Army has been and will continue to cooperate with any investigating authority about the incident.
“Whatever the result of the investigation, we will honor and respect it for we believe in the due process of the law,” he said adding, “In the same manner that we trust on our justice system.”
Sab-it also urged the people of Tapaz to divulge what they know and cooperate with the investigation of the local police.
“It was a tragic incident and we would like to extend our sympathy to the families of the victims,” he added.
Explosion
Last March 11th on a Sunday afternoon, troops and police reports claim a "improvised explosive device (IED) exploded inside the house of Roberto Aguirre. The incident took the life of his daughter, Rodelyn and injured Roda."
According to informants from the barangay officails, all pointed the military statement says to an "EID assembled by the suspected New People’s Army (NPA) who sought refuge at the Aguirre abode."
Meanwhile, investigators from Capiz PNP were puzzled why the scene of the crime was sanitized when they arrived.
“Pieces of evidence that might help in the conduct of investigation were removed,” said Senior Inspector Ramil Enteroso, post-blast investigator of Capiz PNP.
“Whoever arrived first in the crime scene is trying to cover-up someting and it is a clear obstruction of justice,” he added.
Records from the military showed that the incident has traces of NPA handiworks based on the items found in the bomb laboratory discovered in Brgy. Tigbanaba, Igbaras, Iloilo sometime September 2009. Even earlier, the Army also uncovered within the NPA camp an improvised steel ovens used for the preparation of ammonium nitrate, a key component in making explosives and improvised explosive devices.
Also found were containers of diesel fuel, bags of commercial fertilizer and several rolls of detonating cord, which are components in the manufacture of improvised anti-personnel mines.
Bayanihan: Working towards peace says AFP
Since the implementation of Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan last 2011, the AFP shifted its approach from a predominantly militaristic solution to a people-centered security strategy.
“This means that a people-centered approach within the frame of human security puts the people’s welfare at the center of all military operations. It supports human development and therefore gives primacy to human rights and also explores ways for promoting local security and safety based on the needs and realities of communities on the ground,” Java said.
The 3ID’s strict implementation of IPSP Bayanihan and adherence of its personnel in the said plan resulted to zero human rights violation based on the records from the Commission on Human Rights in Region 6.*