CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, July 21 (PNA) -– The military on Tuesday denounced the communist New People’s Army (NPA) for the killing of three militiamen in the hinterlands of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, an army officer said.
Capt. Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the army’s 4th Infantry Division here, identified the militiamen as Alfredo Sarno, Perry Abao, and Pernan Abao, all assigned in the army Patrol Base in the village of Hindangon, Gingoog City.
Martinez said that the killing of the militiamen was an act of cowardice because the victims were off-duty and unarmed when the NPA rebels harassed the army Patrol Base Sunday evening.
He said that the killing of the militiamen also demonstrated the treacherous characters of the communist rebels who were asking for a 10-day “ceasefire” as precondition for the release of the captive army soldier.
The NPA rebels captured PFC Adonis Jess M. Lupeba, 26, of Iponan, Cagayan De Oro City, of the army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, when the rebels laid siege to the hinterland village of Alagatan in Gingoog City Saturday last week.
Maj. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, commander of the 4ID, described the NPA as “criminals who could not be trusted.” “How can the government considers their demands if they keep on showing insincerity on their actions,” Lactao said.
Lactao said that the NPA rebels must face charges with murder, multiple-frustrated homicide, frustrated murder, damage to properties, and kidnapping for the attacked in the village of Alagatan and the killing of the three militiamen in Hindangon. (PNA)