Folks want abusive troops out in North Luzon towns

NPA: ‘Ceasefire violations’ 

The New People’s Army assailed the Philippine Army for allegedly violating ceasefire declarations of government and Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front  by conducting counterinsurgency operations and terrorizing folks in Northern Luzon particularly boundaries of Benguet, Abra, Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur and Quirino. 

Salaknib Monteverde, spokesperson of the NPA’s Antonio Licawen Command in the areas said continuous operations of the 81st IB, Philippine Army in boundaries of Ilocos Sur and Abra started August 14 until now that some towns where they set up camp amid houses want the troops to pull out due to abuses. 

He said Charlie Co. of 81st IB set up camp in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur particularly Barangay Lamag, Quirino, and Barangay Tubtuba, Alangtin in Tubo, Abra and launched operations to hunt NPA guerillas.

“Even if the Government of the Republic of the Philippines declared ceasefire on August 21 (The CPP declared ceasefire earlier on Aug 19) the 81st IB unit still did combat operations starting August 22,” Monteverde said. 

The Army unit later reportedly set up “peace and development teams” in barangays Namitpit, Legleg and Iteb, in Quirino under the guise of “service to the People” but which they reportedly used to harass and identify alleged NPA sympathizers.

A team of a certain Lt. Oscar Baguio set up camp amid houses beside the Namitpit Elementary School in sitio  Iteb, Barangay Malideg and  Legleg. 

Monteverde said local folks are now living in a state of fear, their livelihood which is mostly farming disrupted since they are being accused as NPA members for refusing to join the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

Army soldiers reportedly get drunk and patrol the streets until daybreak harassing local folks.

This reportedly made Quirino residents and officials hold a dialogue with the 81st IB on Sept. 18 attended by the army unit’s executive officer, a certain Maj.Amado Gutierez to make the army pull out from the area as they are living in a state of fear, their livelihood affected.

Despite this, there was reportedly also no action against abuses of government troops like a certain Ruby Jaime a.k.a. James Bagwis.

An NPA statement also called for a stop to search and destroy operations of the military in Ifugao and Kalinga.