By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After the New People’s Army (NPA) accused the Philippine Army of human rights violations in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental earlier this month, the army struck back calling the accusations “propaganda.”
In an interview with Bombo Radyo-Bacolod yesterday morning, 3rd Civil Military Operations (CMO) spokesperson Salvador Balontong called the allegations “mere propaganda.”
“The rebel group always uses these types of statements every time they get into a skirmish with government forces,” he explained.
Balontong said the NPA is desperate to win back sympathy from local residents.
He explained the reason the encounter took place was because a concerned resident reported the presence of the NPA to authorities.
The military spokesperson also accused the rebel group of recruiting children and turning them into child soldiers.
Earlier, the NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command released a statement accusing the
Army of human rights violations, claiming they drove people out of their homes, stole livestock, and burned down a house.
Additionally, the rebels accused the army of abducting two families.
Balontong also denied the allegations./WDJ