CAMP OSITO D. BAHIAN, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon — A four-month old baby including a policeman were murdered by suspected members of the NPA bandit group around 5:30 pm on Thursday, November 9, 2017, in Brgy. Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon.
The incident transpired after more or less 30 suspected NPA bandits ambushed the personnel of the Bumbaran Municipal Police Station onboard their patrol vehicle, and indiscriminately fired upon a Toyota Fortuner who happened to be tailing said PNP patrol car along Kilometer 28 of the Cagayan de Oro-Dominorog-Kalilangan road.
The incident resulted to the death of a policeman and wounding of three police personnel who were onboard their patrol vehicle, and the death of Walysha Machorao, a four – month old baby, after being hit by a bullet in her head, and the wounding of two other female companions who both suffered gunshot wounds in their right arm and left breast, respectively.
The three civilian victims were onboard the Toyota Fortuner with five other companions as they were heading back to their residence in Brgy. Kili-kili, Wao, Lanao del Sur after attending to some personal errands in Cagayan de Oro City, while the policemen were on their way back to the Bumbaran Municipal Police Station.
Meanwhile, responding troops from the 1st Special Forces Battalion recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED/Landmine), 200 meters wire, detonating cords, empty shells of AK-47 rifle ammunitions, and subversive documents at the area where the incident transpired.
These acts committed by the NPA bandits are clear violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or CARHRIHL between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF as this agreement prohibits attacks against civilians and non-combatants and bans the use of landmine.
Brigadier General Eric C Vinoya AFP, Commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, vehemently condemned this yet another barbaric act of the bandit group. He also lambasted the perpetrators for their lack of regard to human life, most especially the civilians, as evident by their indiscriminate use of firearms.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this barbaric act committed by the perpetrators of this incident which resulted to the tragic death of a four-month old baby girl and one of our police personnel.” said Brigadier General Vinoya.
“These perpetrators can be compared to savages, infant killers, and murderers of innocent civilians, who thrive on abusing the weak by using coercion and intimidation, without giving any regard to human life and established laws. They do not belong in this civilized society. They will be punished.” he added. | (403rd Infantry Brigade, 4ID, PA)
