Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has denounced the New People’s Army (NPA) for allegedly ambushing soldiers in Catubig, Northern Samar which resulted in the death of two civilian minors and the wounding of another individual.
Lorenzana described the NPA’s attack last February 8 as “harrowing” and “unforgivable” as he directed the military to further intensify their tactical offensives against the communist group in the province.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the reckless attack against innocent civilians by the NPA that resulted in the deaths of two minors and injuring another civilian in Catubig, Northern Samar,” he said in a statement on Friday night, Feb. 11.
“This harrowing and unforgivable incident is a testament to the violence of these terrorists who are only hell-bent on causing destruction wherever they are,” he added.
According to the 8th Infantry Division (8ID), the incident happened last February 8 when members of the 803rd Infantry Brigade were dispatched in the outskirt of Barangay Roxas after receiving tip from the locals about the presence of armed men.
“On their way to the reported location of the armed NPA, nadaanan ng tropa ‘yong mga civilians (the troops passed by the civilians). Sinabihan ng tropa itong mga civilians na manatili sa likod nila dahil may info sila na may NPA sa unahan (The troops told the civilians to stay behind them because they have information that there were NPAs ahead)," said Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo, commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade.
"Habang dahan dahan na lumalapit ang mga sundalo, pinaputukan na sila ng mga NPA. Naka-abang na pala ang kalaban sa high ground, bandang unahan (While the soldiers were slowly advancing, they were fired upon by the NPAs. The enemies were already in position on a high ground, ahead of the soldiers),” he reported.
“Nagawang dumapa ng mga sundalo pero iyong mga civilians na nasa likod nila, nagtakbuhan. Pinaputukan ng NPA ‘yong mga civilians kaya tinamaan agad ‘yong tatlo (The soldiers managed to duck but the civilians behind them ran away. The NPA fired shots towards the civilians, hitting three of them),” the military commander continued.
Killed on the spot was a 12-year-old boy while a 13-year-old boy perished while being treated at the Northern Samar Hospital. A 26-year-old man also sustained gunshot wounds but he survived the attack.
Before he died, the 13-year-old boy managed to narrate to barangay officials that they were hit by the NPA’s gunfire, according to Maj. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, commander of 8ID.
The military said that another minor managed to escape unharmed and reported the incident to barangay officials, who rushed to the scene and helped evacuate the victims to the hospital.
Seeing the civilians were hit, the soldiers shifted on protecting the civilians while the NPAs immediately fled. The soldiers opted to apply medical first aid to the wounded instead of pursuing the NPAs, according to the military.
Lorenzana said he was angered by the NPA’s indiscriminate firing despite knowing the presence of civilians in the area.
“The victims had no chance against the bullets from the NPA that rained down on them. There are no words enough to describe this tragedy. Yet, this is but one of the countless murders committed by the NPA against our youth, the vulnerable, and the defenseless. We join the nation and the families of the victims in demanding justice from these terrorists,” Lorenzana said.
The Defense Chief said the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were “more determined to finally bring the communist terrorists to the ground, and finally free our people from the destruction and fear of the NPA.”
“We enjoin all Filipinos to help us win this fight and support our efforts for genuine and long-lasting peace for our communities,” he said.
The municipal government of Catubig and the provincial government of Northern Samar provided assistance to the relatives of the deceased and injured victims.