Hold your fire, Army asks NPA

ILOILO - With three different clashes occurring in various parts of Panay Island this week, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) is appealing to the New People’s Army (NPA) to put a stop to violence and, along with the rest of the majority of people in Catholic Philippines, observe the solemnity of Lent.

“We call on the remaining NPA cadres here in Western Visayas to go back to their families and spend a week of peace and freedom in our democratic society,” said the PA’s 3ID Commander, Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

PA elements, and members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) here recently clashed with the NPA in Capiz and Iloilo provinces respectively .

The first encounter, in Tapaz town, Capiz last March 29 – the NPA’s 46th founding anniversary - wounded two soldiers, Corporal Niel Lagat and Private Raymund de Juan, both with the 61st Infantry Battalion (61 IB).

That was followed by another clash the following day, March 30, between a group of NPA cadres and government troopers with the PA’s 82nd Infantry Battalion ( 82IB) at Tubungan town, Iloilo. Major Ray Tiongson, 3ID spokesman, said no soldier was wounded in that encounter.

The third incident, which happened March 31, resulted in the wounding of a policeman in another clash, also in Tubungan town.

Iloilo Provincial Public Safety Company Commander, Supt. Adrian Alqulador identified the wounded as Police Officer 2 Efren Buscar.

Guerrero reiterated that the NPA must stop violence on Panay Island as Filipinos commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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