MANILA, Philippines— Despite the one-day suspension of offensive military operations (Somo) on Wednesday, two from the government side were abducted and killed by suspected communist rebels in Davao City, a military officer said Thursday.
Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs chief, Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., identified the two as Private First Class Ronel Mansiwagan, an assistant detachment commander and Ortega Carian, a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit.
The two were on off-duty when they were abducted and killed by alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA). They were on their way back to detachment after attending a wedding, Burgos said.
The two were on their way to attend a wedding in Panabo City.
Burgos said several residents saw the abduction of the soldier and the militiaman, who both belonged to the Aeta-Manobo tribe.
“We have no identified armed group in the area except the NPA,” said Burgos.
Burgos condemned the “barbaric act” and said it was a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, which involves the government and the National Democratic Front-NPA.
“If a soldier is held captive, he should remain unharmed. But in this case, they were killed and even suffered gunshots from close range,” he said.
“We are saddened that despite the Somo the rebel group took advantage of peace day,” he added.
Burgos said this is only a single incident, and the military remains “optimistic of peace initiatives of the government.”
In a separate statement, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Eduardo SL Oban condoled with the family of the victims.
“We extend our condolences to the families and loved ones left behind by two of our brave troops in the frontlines who happened to be members of the Ata Manobo Tribe. We will exhaust all measures necessary to put the perpetrators behind bars,” he said.
“However we will continue to pursue and support the peace initiatives of the government and we will remain committed to follow the path of peace rather than resorting to the application of force,” Oban added.
Oban earlier ordered a 24-hour Somo against the New People’s Army in support of the United Nations declaration of September 21 as International Peace Day. The Somo went from midnight of September 20 up to midnight of September 21.
It was the first time the military declared a Somo with the communist rebels during International Peace Day, as it usually declares a Somo only during the Christmas holidays. With Dona Z. Pazzibugan
Originally posted at 05:52 pm | Thursday, September 22, 2011