Negros Oriental (outlined in red) –Image from Google Maps
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday that the ambush of four police officers reportedly committed by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Oriental shows the insincerity of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to pursue peace agreement with the government.
“For the nth time, the CPP-NPA has shown its insincerity to forge a peace agreement with government by continuing to wage its campaign of terror and oppression against the peasants, and tribal communities in the countryside,” PNP Deputy Spokesperson Lt. Col. Kimberly Molitas said in a statement.
Cpl. Relebert Beronio, Pat. Raffy Callo, Pat. Roel Cabellon, and Pat. Marquino De Leon were all killed in an ambush allegedly staged by the NPA at Sitio Yamot, Barangay Mabato in Ayungon town Thursday.
READ: 4 cops dead in NPA ambush in Negros Oriental
The four intelligence officers were members of the 704 Mobile Force Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7 (RMFB-7).
Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, director Central Visayas police, said the victims were approaching the residence of their supposed contact to verify reports of the alleged presence of NPA rebels in the area when they were repeatedly fired upon by several men.
“Still not satisfied with the blood of their prey, the terrorists also looted the dead of their firearms, valuables and personal belongings, and drove off with the victims’ motorcycles,” Molitas said.
Molitas said the PNP assures the families of the victims of all available assistance that the government can extend “if only to ease their suffering over this tragic loss.”
She said a joint police and military pursuit operation is ongoing to arrest the persons behind the crime.
She also called on the NPA fighters to cut ties from their “masters” in the CPP and embrace the localized peace talks “in order for them to lead normal and peaceful lives with their families.” /jpv