Javier, Coloso not our targets—NPA
The Napoleon Tumagtang Command of New People's Army (NPA) Southern Front-Panay denied the allegation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that Congressman Exequiel Javier and Mayor Elizabeth Coloso were their main targets in the ambush that they staged in Brgy. Aningalan, San Remigio Antique last week which killed two Army soldiers and wounded two others.
In an e-mailed statement obtained by The News Today (TNT), Ka Ariston Remus of the Napoleon Tumagtang Command said the claim of the AFP is baseless and is aimed only at sowing intrigues against the communist rebels.
Remus said they had long been spying on the members of 31st Reconnaissance Company of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) which has a base just about three kilometers from their post.
He said they had been in the ambush site for five days waiting for the right timing when they could strike their targets.
Remus also clarified that they did not intend to disrupt the inauguration of the school buildings in Brgy. Bulan-bulan and Brgy. Alegria that's why they waited until the activity was finished and when the Army troops have finished escorting Mayor Coloso and other guests before staging the ambush. Congressman Javier failed to attend the activity.
The attack which came six days after the NPA anniversary killed Corporal Francisco Silvila and Private First Class (PFC) Joey Yntas while PFCs Arthur Azarcon and Rodolfo Domopoy were wounded.
The soldiers were on foot along the national highway and were on their way back to their base in Barangay Aningalan when they were attacked by around 20 New People's Army (NPA) rebels.
Remus disclosed in the statement that their group were able to take two M-16 rifles, a handset and several rounds of ammunition from the government troops.
He said the tactical offensive is part of the efforts of the revolutionary movement to fight the "abusive" Arroyo government.
He added that the attack simply shows that the revolutionary movement is still a force to reckon with in the mountains of Antique.
Earlier, Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the 3rd Civil Relations Group claimed that Mayor Coloso was the principal target of the communist rebels in the ambush.