4th ID condemns NPA attack on military escorts of relief convoy for quake victims

MANILA –The Cagayan De Oro-based 4th Infantry Division slammed the New People’s Army (NPA) for firing on the military escort of a non-government organization delivering relief goods to quake-battered communities in Surigao Del Norte Tuesday night.

The incident took place 8:30 p.m. at Barangay Linunggaman, San Francisco town, of the above-mentioned province.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the recent harassment of the NPA. There is no way we can really trust these terrorists. They have deceived the entire nation when they fired upon the team that is composed of Army and civilian volunteers who have just delivered relief goods to the earthquake-stricken communities. Their (NPA) recent declaration of ceasefire in that area is nothing but lie and deception,” 4th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Benjamin Madrigal said.

The unit fired was the civil-military operations platoon of the 30th Infantry Battalion. It was escorting the ABS-CBN Foundation relief team, which had just finished delivering relief goods and supplies, and headed back to Surigao City when the military lead vehicle was shot by the rebels, fortunately causing no casualties.

“While we are in the area helping our people to rise up again after they were badly hit by the recent earthquake, the NPA terrorists are also busy in making our people’s lives miserable,” Madrigal added.

“The NPA’s attack will not deter us to continue our efforts in helping the LGUs to bring back the normal situation in the entire province,” the 4th Infantry Division commander stressed.