TACLOBAN CITY – At least 300 residents of San Isidro, Northern Samar joined a protest on Tuesday during the funeral of two militiamen who were killed by the New People’s Army (NPA) on Aug. 21.
During the funeral of the two members of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA), mourners carry placards condemning the atrocities of the NPA.
The remains of the two militiamen were laid to rest at the San Isidro public cemetery.
“These voices against the communist NPA terrorists are the true sentiments that the people of San Isidro, Northern Samar have long endured. Let’s hear the people speak out what’s in their hearts and minds freely,” said Lt. Col. Manuel Degay, Jr., commander of the Army’s 43rd Infantry Battalion, in a statement issued Tuesday night.
The placards’ messages called for the NPA to leave their town, justice for the murdered CAAs, end to terrorism, and stop to the terror group’s deceptive recruitment.
On Aug. 21, NPA terrorists flagged down and brutally shot unarmed militiamen Lito Dauba and Arcito Reyes at Happy Valley village, San Isidro, Northern Samar.
The two were on their way to join a Community Support Program (CSP) activity conducting development social works for the villagers. CSP is the Philippine Army’s people-centered program to bring peace and development in conflict-affected barangays.
The Army described the killing as “mercilessly executed by fully-armed terrorists who shot them at close range using high-powered firearms”.
The Northern Samar provincial government and the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELAC) have condemned the brutal killing.
San Isidro town has been the place of recent clashes between the military and rebels in Northern Samar as the government intensifies its effort to dismantle the communist terrorist group.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
Source: Philippines News Agency
