The NPA-MCC strongly condemns the continuing Oplan Sauron killings and illegal arrests in Central Negros. In their obsession with their failure of chasing the NPA, the AFP/PNP turned their wrath on innocent civilians.

Following their shameful defeat in Manjuyod last June 22, the 94th IBPA did not divulge all their casualties to avoid demoralization among their ranks. Daybreak after the defeat of their troops, the reinforcements desperately captured and shot-to-death a mentally ill farmer and declared him as an NPA casualty. Also, ordinary citizens and residents of Brgy. Lamugong, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental namely Teodore Casido, 49, his wife Rhea Casido, 31, Benan Cadelina, 61, and Danny Casido, 41, were illegally arrested and accused of being NPA members.

To whitewash their defeat against the NPA and coverup their human rights violations, the said troops mercilessly shot-to-death on June 28, Salvador “Bador” Romano who was a courageous human rights defender of Negros Oriental in Manjuyod.

Not less than a week after the killing of 4 police butchers in Ayungon, Negros Oriental, the AFP/PNP unleashed their fury again on civilians. They started their rampage on the murder of known human rights defender, Atty. Anthony Trinidad, in Guihulngan. But July 25 proved to be the bloodiest as 7 lives were taken including educators and a local government official in Guihulngan, Ayungon, Sta. Catalina and Siaton. Five more were killed in the next two days which made the civilian death toll to 13 in 4 days.

The series of attacks on civilians perpetrated by the AFP and PNP only shows that it is in the nature of the fascist mercenaries to retaliate against innocent civilians following their frustration and failure of chasing the NPA.

On the other hand, the NPA-MCC is in high spirits following the successful tactical offensives launched to respond to the resounding call of the people for justice for the victims of Duterte’s martial law and Oplan Sauron in the countrysides.

Ka Dionesio Magbuelas

Spokesperson

Mt. Cansermon Command

New People’s Army

Central Negros Guerrilla Front