Officials, militant group hit attack against 86th IB: Fear grips folk, army operations on vs NPA

TINOC, Ifugao – The mayor here said fear now grips his constituents after the army launched massive operations here last week in search of New People’s Army guerrillas who ambushed and killed 11 soldiers and a civilian in this town last April 25.

            Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, the militant Cordillera People’s Alliance, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Teresita Deles, police andother national officials condemned the attack.

            This, as Mayor Lopez Pugong said his constituents, especially those in the village of Binablayan, which is near the ambush site are now thinking of fleeing their homes for fear that hostilities could erupt again ad they could be caught in the crossfire.

            The men slain in the ambush were identified as: Capt. SeigfredKafilas, Staff Sgt. Domingo Torres, Corporal EsmaelLazaro, Private First Class JojoDawaton, PFC Kennedy Ragutero, PFC Crismar M. David, PFC VillamorSannadan Jr. Private June Villora, Private RonelSalud, Private Ronald Lorenzo,and Private Ferdinand Nalliw.

            Among those who died was civilian Aimee Labug who was the lead singer of the military band. .

            Injured were Lt. Nabatias and Private First Class Lopez and civilian, Jefferson dela Cruz.

            Following complaints of residents of danger to their lives due to ongoing military operations in the province, Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., Armed Forces spokesman said in Manila. Said these were only directed at NPA guerrillas involved in the ambush

            In Lagawe, the capital town of Ifugao, police condemned the ambush, even as provincial police director Senior Supt.  Lawrence Mombael said they were helping the army in investigating the incident.

            Mombael said the ambush happened when soldiers of the 86th IB were going back to their camp in Kiangan town after attending the turnover ceremony of the next batch of army men deployed in said municipality.

            Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. also condemned the attack against the 86th Infantry Battalion and called for justice for the fallen soldiers.

            In an official statement, Baguilatsaid , “I strongly condemn the treacherous and unprovoked attack by elements of the National Democratic Front-New People’s Army against the army who was ferrying civilians in Barangay Gumhang-Binablayan in said town. Ten soldiers and a civilian were killed while three others were injured during the incident.

            “As a brother of someone who died in line of duty, I commiserate with and send my condolences to the 86th IB and the families of our brave soldiers who died in that devious attack,” Baguilat said adding that the treachery is magnified by the fact that nowhere in the world is an attack against civilians recognized as a legitimate military strike.

            Baguilat said the attack only emphasized the NPA’s conflict against the government has lost its essence and reason.

            The 86th IB deployed in the province reportedly helped in relief operations during disaster.

            Baguilat called on every Ifugao and every peace-loving Filipino to join him in denouncing the violence brought by the conflict between the National Democratic Front-NPA and the Philippine government in Tinoc and in neighboring Asipulo. 

            Baguilat added the attack has negated gains of government projects such as the Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Management Program (CHARMP) and the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

            The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process led by Sec. Teresita Deles also condemned the attack against government forces.

            “I call on every Ifugao and every peace-loving Filipino to join me in denouncing the violence brought by the conflict between the NDF-NPA and the Philippine Government in Tinoc and in neighboring Asipulo.  Let us join in prayer that justice may be done for the wounded and the fallen and that such senseless violence be ended...”

            In Malacañang, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said pursuit operations were still ongoing.

            “Stalled pongayonang talks natin with the CPP-NPA-NDF dahil sila po ayaw lumapit sa atin sa negotiating table but bukas pa rin ho kami. Ang ating hangarin talaga po ay magkaroon tayo ng kapayapaan.

            "But, having said that, patuloy po tayo. Hindi po tayo tumitigil, dahil wala naman tayong cease fire po on both sides. We will be going after those people who were responsible for these atrocities,” Lacierda said.

            The Cordillera Peoples Alliance also condemned the attack which was done in celebration of their own Cordillera Day.

            Geraldine Cacho of the Tongtongan Ti Umili – CPA said that the “attack on the soldiers was uncalled for. The violence should stop to prevent more bloodshed, from the government side and even the rebels as well.”

            Last week, the fallen heroes were given posthumous promotion and their families given financial assistance in Camp MelchorDela Cruz, Gamu, Isabela. – AD with reports from Vency Bulayungan and RedgieMelvicCawis