Eastmincom slams NPA attack on ambulance

THE Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) condemned Monday the recent attack by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on an ambulance that killed four civilians and hurt seven others at Sitio Latay in Barangay Marfil, Rosario town in Agusan del Sur last November 30.

Fatalities were identified as Neljoy Cerna, 27; Alfredo Cerna, 51; Nonie Mabong, 51; and Vanessa Sabas, 30, while wounded were Barangay Marfil chairman June Soldior; Elmer Adonis, 37; Mac Roselyn Adonis, 8; Liza Casilla, 47; Sergeant Diryun Mordeno; CAA Expedito Sabado; and CAA Reynaldo Austral.

Eastmincom commander Lieutenant General Aurelio B. Baladad, in a statement emailed to the media, said the attack is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) that the NPA rebels earlier swore to observe.

"The NPA rebels in Agusan del Sur again demonstrated their most dreaded characters of killing innocent civilians in pursuit of an irrelevant and violent cause. We condemn in strongest terms this latest barbaric and terroristic act," Baladad said.

Baladad said the 11 passengers onboard the ambulance were on their way to Sitio Latay after attending a thanksgiving mass at the Wayside Baptist Church in Marfil when they were randomly fired upon by around 20 rebels.

The Eastmincom commander then directed the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division to conduct pursuit operation, coordinate with police authorities, and file necessary charges against the rebels who attacked in town.

 December 03, 2014.

Source http://m.sunstar.com.ph/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sunstar.com.ph%2Fdavao%2Flocal-news%2F2014%2F12%2F02%2Feastmincom-slams-npa-attack-ambulance-379879#2831