ILOILO CITY — An employee of the Century Peak Energy Corporation (CPEC) was wounded when ambushed by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Igcabugao in Igbaras, Iloilo Wednesday afternoon.
Colonel Benedict Arevalo, Commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade (301st IB), identified the wounded employee as Shela Mae Estevez, 28, Safety Officer of CPEC, who sustained a gunshot wound on her lower right leg.
She was with four other employees of the firm when ambushed by suspected members of the Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay, “who were involved in extortion activities,” he said. The victim’s companions were unharmed.
Arevalo said the CPEC employees have just completed their site survey and inspection when NPA terrorists fired at their civilian pick-up vehicle around 3:30 p.m.
Elements of the Bravo Company 61st Infantry Batallion (61st IB), and Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment of 12th IB who were near, the area responded immediately.
“There was a 10-minute firefight but no one got hurt from our troops and the rebels withdrew to the forested portion of the barangay (village),” Arevalo said.
He said responding soldiers were able to immediately bring the wounded victim to the Guimbal District Hospital for treatment.
Arevalo said soldiers are still in pursuit of the rebels. “They will disappear and reappear somewhere else,” he said.
He said they will further strengthen their operations together with the police to stop rebels. “We cannot wait for them to do violence against us. As much as possible I want the troops to go out and run after them,” he said.
Meantime, Arevalo said the incident is a “clear violation of human rights”.
“That is why I challenge the human rights groups and advocates. This is a clear violation of human rights and the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law,” he added. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
