PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

The military is abusive and violates human rights, not simply making a living as Palparan says
March 14, 2005

The NDF-EV announced today the clarification of the Arnulfo Ortiz Command (AOC) regarding the March 3 ambush on elements of the 34th Infantry Battalion in the boundary between Brgy. Quezon, San Jorge and Brgy. Palencia, Tarangnan. The AOC is the provincial operations command of the New People�s Army (NPA) in Western Samar.

The AOC report regarding the ambush states: �This is a form of punishment because the 34th IB continues to commit inhumane acts through their RSOT [Reengineered Special Operations Teams], like setting up camp in the barrios�particularly in chapels, schools and houses of civilians�and harassing civilians and branding them as NPA members, and forcing barrio folk to guide them in their military operations.�

The AOC report debunks the propaganda of Gen. Jovito Palparan, 8th Infantry Division chief, that the ambushed soldiers were merely making a living in the military. In reality, the military institution is abusive and violates human rights, not just a means of making a living. This only reinforces the justness of the NPA tactical offensive, which was a legitimate military action against a legitimate military target. It once more brings around the devious Gen. Palparan to the reality of the civil war in the Philippines, and the readiness of the NPA to punish the most notorious and abusive units of the 8th ID.

It was around three in the afternoon when the Red fighters of AOC ambushed the Hummer Military Vehicle transporting elements of the 34th IB. Two enemy elements were killed in action and the others wounded, while there were no casualties on the NPA side. Five high-powered rifles and other military equipment were confiscated by the NPA. #

Reference:
Roy Santos
NDF-EV Media Liaison Officer
Cellphone Number: 0918-3112138
E-mail: [email protected]


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