Updated @ 10:44 p.m., April 9, 2022
MANILA, Philippines — Four alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and its People’s Militia were killed in a clash at a checkpoint in South Cotabato on Friday night, the military reported Saturday.
But the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said the incident was an “ambush,” claiming those who were killed were unarmed.
In a statement, the Joint Task Force Central commander, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, said government troops were conducting a checkpoint operation at Sitio Limite in Barangay Upper Maculan, Lake Sebu town when the clash happened.
The troops were at the area to confirm the presence of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front Musa-Far South Mindanao Region.
Uy said those killed in the clash were identified as Ariel Moca Lasib and Johndel Limosnero, the deputy officer and “supply officer” of the NPA’s guerrilla front, respectively; and two members of the People’s Militia who were identified only by their aliases Rex and Nomer.
“Our intelligence operatives were strictly monitoring the movements of the group. Due to the development of our intel operations, troops organized a checkpoint and successfully intercepted four personalities onboard two motorcycles, however, one of the suspects immediately fired upon the government forces which led to an armed confrontation,” said Uy.
CPP spokesperson Marco Valbuena, however, alleged that the encounter was a “massacre” and an “extrajudicial killing.”
“There was no encounter or firefight. This was a clear case of extrajudicial killing, a massacre of unarmed people,” Valbuena said in a statement sent to INQUIRER.net.
“Based on initial reports from the area, we have learned that a group of unarmed civilians riding in a convoy of motorcycle transport were ambushed by soldiers last Friday, and that four people in the convoy, including two habal-habal drivers, were killed. Claims of the AFP that members of the NPA were in the convoy does not justify the ambush and massacre,” Valbuena added.
Uy said, however, that government troops recovered four .45-caliber pistols, three improvised explosive devices, and several pieces of communication equipment from the slain alleged NPA fighters.
Meanwhile, the Western Mindanao Command commander, Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., said that such operations were part of the military’s preparations for the upcoming national and local elections.
“Rest assured that with the support from the local government and the populace, we will be able to sustain the peace and order here in Mindanao,” Rosario added.
RELATED STORY
5 suspected NPA rebels slain in clash with police, Army in South Cotabato