By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) condemned operations conducted by members of the 79th Infantry Brigade (79IB) of the Philippine Army, which took place in Barangay Binobohan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on June 30 and July 1.
In a message sent by Ka JB Regalado, spokesperson for the NPA’s Central Negros Front, a June 30 encounter took place at Sitio Agpapataw, wherein a firefight ensued between their group and the 79IB.
Regalado accused the 79IB of committing human right violations the following day, July 1, against residents, claiming the army drove people out of their homes, stole livestock, and burned down one house.
He also claimed several farmers went missing following the incident, naming Simplicio Garde and his daughter Teresa; along with Botsoy and Aurillia Cantela and their child Jenamae.
Regalado characterized the incident as a “terrorist attack.”
The NPA spokesman also slammed 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander, Major General Jon Aying, and accused the general of using local media to spread lies to cover up the army’s alleged violations.
However, Regalado said they are still supporting the ongoing peace talks with the government.
Earlier, Aying said the NPA has no interest in the peace process, explaining the recent killings of a sugar planter and driver in Calatrava and the burning of an abandoned detachment in Escalante City shows their resistance to peace./WDJ