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Oct. 12, 2005 attack on Bituen Patrol Base, a punitive action vs. Human Rights violations

Diego Wadagan, Spokesperson,
Agustin Bengnalen Command — New Peoples Army

October 14, 2005

On October 12, 2005, an NPA unit of the Agustin Begnalen Command conducted punitive operations against elements of Charlie Coy, 41st IBPA and the 77th IB, based in Bituen Patrol Base, Barangay Lenneng, Baay-Licuan. At 11:20 am, a team of the said NPA unit managed to go within a stone’s throw from 4 soldiers in civilian clothes, armed with pistols, and seemingly waiting for a ride. The soldiers fired at the NPA team, upon noticing their presence. The NPA unit fired back, instantly killing a certain PFC Mangin of the 77th IB, and caused the injury of PFC Joel Coloma of the 41st IB and a still unidentified soldier; another managed to run away.

Elements of the C Coy, 41st IB, particularly the unit based in Bituen Patrol Base, are responsible for the series of abuses or human rights violations in Barangay Lenneng, Baay-Licuan, and nearby Sitio Libsong and Balawang, Barangay Guinguinabang, Lacub. It will be recalled that a platoon of the C Coy 41st IBPA, led by Lt. Victor Leopoldo, were responsible for the death of Francisco “Ama Luyong” Tangbawan, and the forcible abduction of Junie Brillantes and Noriel Tuangin, on August 14, 2005. The said unit used the civilians as human shields during a firefight between the NPA and the 41st IB. Succeeding operations of C Coy, 41st IB in Barangay Lenneng and Libsong-Balawang resulted in a series of human rights violations such as destruction of crops, theft of properties such as cows and other poultry, harassment and intimidation. The people, along with officials of the reactionary government agencies and LGUs demand for justice and the immediate pull-out of the 41st IB as a result of the series and systematic violation of human rights in the entire province.

True to their character and record, the same elements of C Coy, 41st IBPA, forcibly stopped a passenger jeep from Lacub town, held them for hours, and prevented their immediate journey to Bangued, after the NPA punitive action on October 12, 2005. Fearing additional charges of human rights violations, Major Millare, 41st IBPA Ex-O, “assured” the riding public from Malibcong, Baay-Licuan, and Lacub that their transit from said municipalities are safe at present.

Human rights violations perpetrated by the AFP, have been on the rise, and have reached unprecedented proportions during the current regime of Gloria Arroyo. The attack on the Bituen Patrol Base is then one of the contributions of the Agustin Begnalen Command in the people’s struggle to oust the rotten Arroyo Regime. Armed attacks of the NPA will intensify, as the fascist and dictatorial character of the current regime is unmasked and their attacks against the people intensify. We call on the rank-and-file soldiers of the AFP, CAFGU elements, and other para-military units to desert the armed fascist institutions and heed the call of their fellow peasants and workers to advance the national democratic revolution. #

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