By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) has accused the New People’s Army (NPA) of being behind the ambush that killed two soldiers from the 47th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Camindangan’s Sitio Camboguiot in Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City, on Thursday, November 24.

Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, condemned the NPA for the merciless killings of Sergeant Regie Glindro and Staff Sergeant Ken Camilan.

According to Arevalo, the two soldiers were heading to Camindangan Proper to coordinate with local officials for the upcoming local peace engagement with the populace in their area of responsibility, involving the former mass supporters of the NPA.

Arevalo believes the NPA unit behind the attack was the South West Front, Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, and the ambush was a retaliation after the NPA suffered serious setbacks for the past few months, such as the death of their group leader, Romeo Nanta alias “Juanito Magbanua” in an encounter in Himamaylan City back in October.

“They [soldiers] are not in combat operations and in civilian clothes, and their only intent is for the good of the people through local peace engagement,” Arevalo said.

The 3ID commander had slammed the NPA again as a human rights violator, and he assured that the ultimate sacrifice of the two soldiers would not go in vain.

“These soldiers risked their lives to protect and bring peace to the people of Negros, and we honor the heroism and sacrifices of our fallen comrades, and we will ensure that justice will be served,” Arevalo said./DGB, WDJ