The New People’s Army (NPA)-Masbate (Jose Rapsing Command) refuted the accusation of the 96th IB and local police that the Red army was behind a case of theft in a civilian’s house in Barangay Mapiña, Masbate City on February 21. According to the NPA-Masbate, it was actually the soldiers and police who committed robbery, not the NPA.

According to the report, at 10 pm, soldiers and police ransacked the house of Budo Alegre. They confiscated a pig with an estimated value of more than ₱10,000, machetes used for grass cutting, and two telescopes owned by Alegre’s employer Eribete, owner of the pasture he watches over.

To evade culpability for the crime, they accused the Red Army for the theft to vilify the reputation and prestige of the NPA. “They spread lies and disinformation to discredit the Red Army and deceive the masses. The military and police claim that the NPA are now resorting to theft out of extreme hunger,” NPA-Masbate spokesperson Ka Luz del Mar said.

Ka Luz added that the military and police’s statement was ridiculous for thinking that the Masbate masses are not aware that only the Marcos regime’s paid forces could abuse them.

“Anti-social activities and human rights violations such as theft, pornography, drug use, filing of trumped-up charges, torture and killings only happen when they are present in their areas,” Ka Luz stated.

The spokesperson emphasized that the people’s army strictly adheres to its own military regulations, rules and guidelines, as well as the laws of war and international humanitarian law.

“In contrast [to the military and police], the Red Army is the one who listens to grievances and assists in formulating solutions to the problems the masses face, to give justice to victims and to hold accountable criminals who violate and take the lives of innocent civilians.