• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A civilian wounded during a brief firefight between government troops and remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental is seeking justice, saying he had done nothing to warrant being caught in the violence.
On Saturday (Oct. 17), a brief encounter broke out in Sitio Bulod, Barangay Carabalan when soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) conducting a security patrol engaged remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 2 (CN2).
Three government troops and a 38-year-old barangay resident were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
The civilian, who sustained wounds to his back, was immediately evacuated to a local hospital.
From his hospital bed, the victim condemned the violence and appealed for justice.
“Wala man ako sala sa ila, nga-a amo na gin himo sa akon? Ang tropa ka 94IB maayo sila nga ga bulig sa mga katawhan sa Barangay Carabalan. Daan mahatagan man ako hustisya sang nahimo sa akon. Wala sila kaluoy kag indi makatao ang ila gin buhat sa akon kag sa mga Army nga ga bulig sa katawhan diri sa Negros,” he said.
(“I did nothing wrong to them, why did they do this to me? The 94IB troops are good and help the people of Barangay Carabalan. I hope I will be given justice for what they did to me. They have no mercy, and what they did to me and the soldiers helping the people here in Negros was inhumane.”)
Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, condemned the armed group’s actions, particularly the injury inflicted on a civilian caught in the encounter.
“We strongly condemn the violent and cowardly attack by remnants of CN2. Targeting our troops and recklessly endangering and injuring an innocent civilian is an inhumane, lawless act that violates human rights and shows total disregard for innocent lives,” Dumosmog said.
He said government forces would continue pursuit operations against the fleeing insurgents while securing Sitio Bulod and nearby communities to prevent further harm to civilians.
Dumosmog assured residents that operations would continue until those responsible for the incident are brought to justice. | GPB
