MANILA, Philippines—A soldier, who was not on combat duty, was killed by communist guerrillas in Capiz province early this week, according to the military on Friday (Aug. 13).
In a statement, Col. Ramon Zagala, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, said the soldier, Cpl. Frederic Villasis, was on a community support mission at a “geographically isolated and disadvantaged area” at the village of Lahug when he was “brutally murdered” by the guerrillas.
Villasis, according to the AFP statement, was following up on the request of the people for a water supply system which was part of the military’s ongoing community support program.
Villasis and two village officials were waylaid by the guerrillas last Aug. 11 as they were on their way to the community tagged as beneficiary of the project.
The guerrillas freed the civilians but tied the hands of Villasis and shot him three times in the back.
The AFP sought justice for the killing of Villasis, which Zagala said was “another addition to the communist terrorist group’s more than 1,600 violations” of human rights and international humanitarian laws in the past 10 years.