PNP News Brief No. 21-0639
Wednesday, June 09, 2021
Eleazar to NPA Bicol: Surrender those responsible for Masbate IED blast if your apology is sincere
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar lashed out at the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), for claiming remorse over the deaths of cousins Kieth and Nolven Absalon.
Eleazar challenged the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) to cease their attacks and atrocities and show that they truly regret the innocent people’s deaths they are responsible for.
The PNP Chief issued the dare after the CTGs took full responsibility for the Masbate City IED (improvised explosive device) explosion that killed the Absalon cousins and also wounded Nolven’s 16-year old son.
According to Eleazar, if the CTGs’ apology is sincere, they should surrender the perpetrators of the unfortunate incident.
“Hustisya ang hinihiling ng pamilya ng mga biktima, at hindi lang public apology. Kung talagang seryoso ang CPP-NPA sa kanilang panlulumo, isuko nila sa amin ang mga nagplano’t gumawa ng pag-atake na ito,” Eleazar said.
“These senseless attacks must end. Sa mga NPA, wakasan ninyo na ang paghahasik ng karahasan na pawang mga inosenteng sibilyan lang ang higit na apektado. Sobrang daming inosenteng buhay na ang nasayang at nawala dahil sa inyong walang saysay na armadong pakikipaglaban,” he added.
The PNP Chief pointed out that the bereaved families of the victims are crying for justice which can only be attained if the perpetrators are behind bars and facing the consequences of their criminal actions.
“Kagaya ng ginagawa natin sa PNP, ang ating paghingi ng paumanhin sa pagkakasala ng sinumang kasamahan namin sa taumbayan ay may kasamang aksyon upang sila ay maparusahan nang naayon sa ating mga batas,” Eleazar said.
State forces are conducting pursuit operations for the arrest of the communist rebels behind the incident. Three CTG members in Bicol were killed in an encounter during the pursuit operation in Masbate.
Eleazar also tasked all police units to be on the alert for possible attacks from the CTGs, citing the possibility that the CPP leadership has ordered the intensified attacks against the PNP.
“This is a way of the CPP-NPA to show they are still a force to reckon with, but it just shows that their numbers are steadily decreasing and that they are losing strength,” the PNP Chief explained.
(PNP-PIO) – jlo
