NPA death squad kills 2 Army soldiers

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – Two soldiers were killed in a treacherous attack perpetrated by communist rebels in Albay province early morning on Wednesday, a military official said.

Lt Col Audrey Pasia, the Commanding Officer of the 2^nd Infantry Battalion, said that the two soldiers were murdered by members of the NPA’s SPARU death squad in Brgy Sinungtan, Guinobatan town at about 12:50am.

“The incident happened while the troops were deployed to provide security operations in the village. The victims were shot with a Cal .45 pistol at point-blank range,” said Pasia.

Pasia said that the residents condemned the killings, saying that they were clear violations of human rights provisions.

He also believed that the attack was carried out in retaliation to the arrest of SPARU member Carlito Remamba @ Ka Renan last June 9 in Brgy. Tastas, Ligao City.

Remamba has a standing warrant of arrest for multiple murder offenses. He is also pursued by law enforcement authorities for torching down a municipal police station in Pio Duran town in the 90's.

As of this day, pursuit operations are conducted by the Philippine Army with the local police.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, the Army Spokesperson, said that Army chief Lt Gen Emmanuel Bautista has expressed his deep condolences to the families of the slain soldiers.He said that the soldiers will continuously maintain its presence in far-flung villages to protect the people.

“Our soldiers will continue to conduct security operations alongside the peace and development initiatives in the communities despite the NPA attacks. We will not be cowed by these attacks; instead the sacrifices made by fellow soldiers will serve as inspiration in our continued pursuit for peace,” said Cabunoc.