The New People’s Army-Leyte Island (Mt. Amandewin Command) refuted the statement of the 93rd IB and 802nd IBde that an encounter took place between two armed forces on June 18 in Barangay Cogon, Carigara, Leyte. According to the people’s army, the three Red fighters killed by the 93rd IB were unarmed and incapable of fighting.
The provincial command condemned the 93rd IB for the merciless killing of two Red fighters who were hors de combat and their medic. According to the unit, Juanito Selleca Jr (Ka Tibor/Ka Rey) and Sadam Paclita (Ka Dimple) were ill and recuperating when soldiers attacked and shot them. Lino Delante (Ka Dodong), a medic caring for them, was also killed.
“The murdered comrades were unarmed because they were patients…a one-sided shooting occurred,” according to the NPA-Leyte Island. The soldiers clearly intended to kill the three because they could have captured them if they wanted to.
Consistent with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ usual modus operandi, the 93rd IB claimed that an M16, a .45 caliber pistol, a grenade, personal belongings, and subversive documents were confiscated from the murdered comrades to make the clash appear credible.
Alma Gabin accompanied the 93rd IB in the retrieval of the martyrs’ bodies. Gabin is a traitor despised by the masses, a weaver of lies, a military agent, and a member of the National Task Forces-Elcac. Gabin now serves as president of the Eastern Visayas Peace Builders and Development Federation Inc, a group established, controlled, and run as a business by the military.
The NPA-Leyte Island called for justice and accountability for violations of the rules of war and international humanitarian law. These rules clearly state the protection and recognition of the rights of hors de combat and medics.
The unit honored its three Red fighters and called them genuine heroes and beloved children of the people. “They chose to leave a comfortable life to serve the peasant masses full-time. They embraced and overcame the sacrifices of armed struggle in the name of the noble aspiration to achieve genuine freedom and democracy for the Filipino people,” it said.
The people’s army unit vowed to continue and persevere in carrying on the struggle left behind by the martyrs. “No matter what hardships we face,” the people’s army said.
