Army Condemns NPA Killings in Bikol

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, PILI, CAMARINES SUR - WITH THE Commemoration of the International Humanitarian Law Month this August, the Armed Forces' 9th Infantry Division based in this camp issued a statement condemning the series of summary executions perpetrated by communist rebels against civilians in Bikol.

The army reported that the latest victims were Joaquin Candea, 60, a resident of Cogon, Bulusan, Sorsogon, who was shot dead by a rebel hitman in Sabang, Bulusan town on Sunday afternoon (August 29).

The army also revealed that rebels allegedly hired by politicians in Burias, Masbate were responsible for the ambush of five people including a San Pascual town councillor last Saturday (August 28) in Barangay Bulod, San Pascual town.

In Bulan, Sorsogon last August 26, Virgilio Sus, 51, was also shot dead by two rebels, Angel and Jerome Gracilla, who were seen by the victim's brother, Arnel, during the shooting incident in Barangay Danao, Bulan town.

Meanwhile Imelda Velasco Madrilejos, 42, an elder sister of an army private was shot dead by 10 NPA rebels in Aroroy, Masbate last May 24; Marites Toldanes, 52, a barangay captain of Pulang Daga, Balatan Camarines Sur was taken some distance from her house and shot at close range by rebels last June 27.

The Army statement also noted that the 22^nd Infantry Battalion which commands the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit in Bikol, suffered that most casualties with eight CAFGUs killed in the earlier quarters of this year.

Reportedly, most of the CAFGUs were killed during their leave when the militiamen were not allowed to carry their firearms.

The 9^th Infantry Division also reported that this year alone, NPA rebels killed 31 people in various incidents of attack in Bikol, 18 were civilians, eight were CAFGUs, four were army personnel and one was a policeman.

The military's statement also disclosed that in 2009, communist rebels also killed 52 people in the region, 30 of which were civilians who had been accused of being military informants, and who had refused to pay revolutionary taxes. (SONNY SALES)