188 criminal activities in Mindanao blamed to NPA rebels

At least 188 criminal activities were blamed to the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in some provinces in Mindanao region, victimizing civilians and small businesses through massive extortion activities, during the first six months of the year.

Army 4th Infantry Division (ID) chief Maj. Gen. Victor Felix denounced as “anti-people” the NPA’s atrocities in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.

“We expressed our sincere sympathy to the Filipinos who are victims of NPA atrocities that apparently suppressed the people’s freedom to live peacefully and productively in their homelands,” Felix said.

According to Felix, there were at least 188 reported cases of foraging and extortion activities conducted by NPAs against civilians and small/large business entities from the month of January up to first

week of June this year.

“It was reported that most victims of the NPA’s extortion range from small scale miners, to contractors, to medium and large-sized enterprises, and multinational corporations,” Felix said.

“It is also noted that even farmers and ordinary residents were forced to pay in money or in kind. An average family gives a sack of rice or a box of dry goods as their contribution demanded by the NPAs,” Felix added.

“These rebels are worsening and aggravating the life of every Filipino especially the indigenous people living in the mountains just for their own vested interest,” Felix said.

Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, 4th ID spokesman, said the command will exert utmost effort to achieve peace, development and freedom in its AOR despite NPA atrocities.

“NPAs are spoiling around with their inhumane and abusive acts by taking away the small earnings of our brothers and sisters, but our soldiers are doing their best to capture these criminals in order to bring true freedom to the people,” Osias said.

“As we celebrate the Independence Day, we pay tribute to our soldiers who bestowed their lives to protect the people and to fight against the abusive acts of the NPAs. We salute you for your courage. For the victims, allow us to help you. These injustices done by the NPA should be stopped, but we need your cooperation,” Osias added. –Mario J. Mallari, Daily Tribune