Capt. Kim Apitong, 3rd ID spokesperson, in a statement, said the NPA is spreading lies to cover the setback.
According to Apitong, the photos and the reports, including information from the 19 NPA rebels who surrendered Saturday, July 2, proved that the statement of Ka Juanito Magbanua, spokesperson of the rebel group, is nothing but a fabricated story designed to twist the actual scenario.
Magbanua resorted to their old tactics, spreading fake news and twisted stories every time the government security forces successfully thwarted their planned atrocities, Apitong said.
The four NPA rebels, Ruel Gemina Udtuhan, alias “Roel Daguit” and “Caloy,” 42, of Barangay San Antonio, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental; Rowel Sagun Ladera, alias “Jack,” 32, of Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City; Alden Cabañog Rodriguez, alias “Rocky,” 21, of Manjuyod, Negros Oriental; and Nikka Ledesma dela Cruz, alias “Chai,” 26, of Cebu, were killed in a clash with the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) and police in Sitio Amelis, Barangay Santol, Binalbagan.
Magbanua said the soldiers raided a hut in Barangay Santol where a small unit of Red fighters, including the slain four rebels, temporarily sought refuge after some of them contacted flu and other illnesses.
By virtue of their medical condition that rendered them incapable of fighting, they should be treated as “hors de combat” (out of action due to injury or damage) as per International Humanitarian Law and should not be subjected to any harm, Magbanua said.
Magbanua said the soldiers allegedly arrested them, and fired their assault rifles, machine guns, and grenade launchers to conjure a scenario of an armed encounter.
“This is a fake encounter to justify the massacre of sick Red fighters,” he added.