AFP insists, 'Reds target solon, lady mayor'
Local communist hierarchy insisted on its claims that the killing of Army soldiers in San Remigio, Antique was a valid attack and "revolutionary fight against the Arroyo Administration."
As such, it was outrightly wrong, the Napoleon Tumagtang Command of New People's Army (NPA) said, for government to say that main targets were Antique Lone District Congressman Exequiel Javier and San Remegio Mayor Elizabeth Coloso.
What it was, the communist terrorist group said in an email to The News Today (TNT), was yet another government ploy to sow intrigues against the communists here.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a response counter-claims now and stood pat on its earlier pronouncement – the two top Antique officials were targets in said fatal NPA attack.
In fact, for Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the AFP's 3rd Civil Relations Group, the NPAs once again "acts like robbers in the night. Already caught redhanded yet can still manage to claim innocence."
"100% propaganda and mere strategy," Captain Marquez continued. "Strategy so that Mayor Coloso and the people in San Remegio will relax and put down their guards. It would be a very big mistake if we believe them on this one and trust them on their empty words. These communist terrorists, they are like rabied dogs of their leaders."
Captain Marquez further said that the planned hit on Mayor Coloso has long been validated by civilian informants and insiders of communist-influenced villagers. Yet with the AFP strengthening its offensive in the San Remegio area and nearby towns, Captain Marquez said no such attack will easily be made on the life of the lady mayor.
Mayor Coloso lost her father and brother in two communist-perpetuated attacks while both served as town mayor.
"For as long as we are here and with the renewed support we now get from the residents of San Remegio who were angered by this communist terroristic activities, there will be no third attack on the mayor's family," Captain Marquez ended.
The NPAs in an email disclosed that the recent Antique attack was well-planned with targets - the men of 31st Reconnaissance Group of the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division.