NPA punishes 78th Infantry Battalion for rights violations

By NDFP Eastern Visayas Media Office

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines – Eastern Visayas today commended the Mt. Amandewin Command of the New People’s Army for a successful ambush on 78th Infantry Battalion troops on 30 November in Albuera, Leyte.

“The NPA ambush on Bonifacio Day is a symbolic victory showing the revolution continues, and disproves the 8th Infantry Division’s announcement that the NPA is finished in Leyte,” said Fr. Santiago Salas, NDFP-EV spokesperson.

“According to the latest report from the Mt. Amandewin Command, six 78th IB soldiers were killed in action, not just one, identified in media reports as Pfc. Richard Abines. Other soldiers were also wounded in action. The fascist troops were returning to their camp onboard a 6×6 truck after military operations in Barangay (village) Liberty, Ormoc City, when they were ambushed by the Red fighters in Sitio Calingatnan, Barangay San Pedro, Albuera.”

Fr. Salas added that the NPA ambush is a punishment for the 78th IB’s human rights violations. “The people have long demanded the punishment of the 78th IB for committing human rights violations in its area of responsibility. In Burauen and other towns, the 78th IB terrorizes civilian communities with military operations that disrupt farming and other economic activities.

“The soldiers also violate international humanitarian law by staying in the houses of civilians as well as in using barangay halls, schools, chapels and other civilian structures. Last October, a soldier also tried to rape a 12-year-old girl after an NPA ambush killed two 78th IB troopers in Brgy. Cagbana, Burauen.”

The NDFP-EV spokesperson called on the NPA to intensify tactical offensives to punish human rights violators and defeat the Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan.

“Not a single human rights violator from the military in Leyte or elsewhere has been punished, exposing President Benigno Aquino as a hypocrite, despite his recent creation of a so-called human rights superbody. While impunity remains, human rights violations will surely continue and worsen.

“Without justice, the people cannot expect peace under the Aquino regime, which is in fact gearing for all-out war through Oplan Bayanihan and ignoring peace talks with the NDFP. The people are on the side of the NPA in fighting for peace based on justice.”

NDFP-EV Media Office
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