By CESAR JOLITO III
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has initiated a full-scale investigation into the armed encounter between government forces and alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) that resulted in the death of a six-year-old boy in Moises Padilla’s Barangay Quintin Remo.
In a statement yesterday, NOCPPO Director Colonel Dennis Wenceslao assured the public that they are pursuing a transparent and thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances behind the child’s death and to ensure accountability.
“NOCPPO will leave no stone unturned in ensuring a transparent and just investigation in coordination with the Philippine Army and all concerned agencies,” Wenceslao said.
Initial reports indicated that elements of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) were conducting operations in Sitio Matal-i on Tuesday, October 28, at 8:54 a.m., when they engaged an undetermined number of NPA remnants believed to be under Central Negros 1.
The firefight was brief, with the armed group withdrawing toward the northwest.
However, the clash claimed the life of a boy, a resident of Sitio Inangaw in the village, believed to have been hit by the indiscriminate firing of the fleeing rebels.
The Moises Padilla police immediately coordinated with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and proceeded to the site to conduct verification and initial investigation.
On Tuesday night, a Scene of the Crime Operatives team arrived at a funeral home, where they conducted a forensic examination of the boy’s remains, including paraffin, fingerprint and swab tests, as well as a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
The child’s parents were also assisted by police investigators in giving their sworn statements.
Meanwhile, coordination meetings between the 62IB, Moises Padilla police, and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion in the Negros Island Region were held to map out the next steps in the ongoing probe.
“The NOCPPO continues to work closely with the 62IB and local government authorities to maintain peace and order in Moises Padilla and nearby areas. Ensuring the safety and welfare of civilians remains paramount,” Wenceslao said.
However, follow-up investigations were momentarily delayed due to poor weather and rough terrain conditions.
The provincial police office reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and security in Moises Padilla and surrounding areas, emphasizing that the safety and welfare of civilians remain their top priority as authorities continue joint operations with the Philippine Army.
Authorities have yet to release the results of the ongoing investigation into the firefight, but local officials have appealed for calm and cooperation as security forces maintain their presence in the area to prevent further violence.
‘No children pay the price of conflict’
Meanwhile, Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo made an emotional appeal to remnants of the NPA to lay down their arms and embrace peace talks, following the tragic death of a boy caught in a crossfire.
“It’s heartbreaking that a child, innocent and blameless, lost his life in this war,” Yulo said, expressing deep sorrow over the incident that shocked the local community.
The mayor said the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for both sides to pursue a peaceful resolution to the decades-long insurgency that continues to claim innocent lives.
“Let’s end the war in the mountains — for peace, for freedom. We can no longer allow our children to pay the price of conflict,” Yulo urged.
She pointed out that residents in upland areas remain the most vulnerable, often caught between the military and insurgent groups.
“When the military passes through, they question residents about the presence of the NPA. When the rebels arrive, they do the same, often suspecting civilians of being informants,” she said.
The mayor emphasized that the local and provincial governments are ready to extend assistance to rebels who choose to surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society, citing programs designed to support livelihood and rehabilitation.
The fatal encounter has renewed calls for the government and rebel groups to resume peace efforts in Negros Island, where sporadic clashes continue despite intensified security operations./CJ, WDJ