• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion strongly condemned the series of killings of innocent civilians, which have been claimed by remnants of the New People’s Army in northern Negros
At the same time, the 79IB vehemently denied the allegations made by the NPA that the individuals they killed were military informants.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, dismissed the allegations as false and “clearly meant to justify the brutal killings of innocent civilians.”
The Roselyn Jean Pelle Command earlier issued separate statements claiming responsibility for the killing of four civilians in Toboso, Victorias City, and E.B. Magalona.
In the past few months, Calaoagan noted that the NPA boastfully claimed responsibility for the execution of innocent civilians, under the same dilapidated justifications and false narratives.
In their desperation, they even take credit for incidents that were not of their doing, all in an attempt to sow fear, create chaos, and strengthen their continuous extortion activities among the poor and vulnerable, he added.
A group of rebel remnants, led by alias Arnel Tapang, has been the subject of focused military operations by the 79IB in the past several years. His group was tagged as behind the series of killings in the hinterlands of northern Negros, especially in Calatrava.
According to the military, a P1 million reward is being offered for the capture of Tapang.
The senseless acts of violence that show the CPP-NPA’s utter disregard for human life, human rights, and the peace that communities strive to maintain, Calaogan further said.
He called on every peace-loving Negrense to denounce these atrocities and support the government’s efforts to put an end to local communist armed conflict.*
