DILG exec condemns ‘senseless’ NPA attack

A RANKING official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday castigated the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) specifically the New People’s Army (NPA) for attacking government forces out to assist victims of Typhoon “Odette”.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, speaking at the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict virtual press briefing, described the attack as “deplorable, senseless and heartless.”

“These were carried out with no remorse and without any consideration for the welfare and interest of our countrymen who were affected by the calamity,” Malaya said.

The official said the DILG will dispatch additional police personnel in areas hit by natural calamities to stop CTGs from exploiting the situation and to ensure the safety of government responders and civilians.

“Lesson learned from this is to deploy more forces in order to fully protect the local government units. We will do what we can to ensure their safety,” Malaya said.

He added that the government will not waiver in reaching out to those affected by the typhoon.

Carmen, Surigao del Sur Mayor Jane Plaza recounted that on Dec. 15, 2021, before the onslaught of Odette, three Philippine Army members of the Charlie Company were ambushed by NPA fighters on their way to assist “preventive evacuation” on board an army pickup truck.

“Sensing that the rebels were determined to kill them, they scattered for their safety while being injured during the attack, leaving their service vehicle. However, two men on board a motorcycle fired and torched the army truck,” Plaza narrated.

While the CTGs are no longer welcome in their province as they have already passed resolutions condemning their acts and declaring them persona non grata.

“The NPAs make their presence felt by staging such attacks,” the mayor said.

La Castellana, Negros Occidental Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan recalled how the CTGs took advantage of a family dispute and killed Mario Landeda.

“DILG condemned this extreme disregard for life. This is a clear demonstration of their fallacy. Ang police and military, although armed, were not there for their combat role but what they were doing was disaster evacuation,” Malaya said.

These senseless killings will not stop the government’s life-saving efforts, he said.

Malaya said this was also the first time that the government shelled out financial assistance to typhoon victims.

“On December 28 (2021), President Duterte ordered the release of P4.8 billion cash assistance to those affected by Odette,” he said.

The DILG was also instructed to check the rollout of cash assistance in 27 provinces and 420 cities and municipalities affected by the typhoon.