Rebels kill baby, cop in Philippine ambush

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – New People’s Army rebels killed a policeman and an infant and wounded 5 others in an ambush in the southern Philippine province of Bukidnon, the army said on Friday. 

It said communist rebels opened fire on policemen and also attacked a car tailing the patrol in the village of Tikalaan in Talakag town. The ambush, which occurred late Thursday afternoon, killed the two victims instantly. 

Three other policemen and two women on board the private car were wounded in the attack, according to Captain Norman Tagros, of the 403^rd Infantry Brigade. He said the four-month old baby, Walysha Machorao, was shot in the head. Two women who were among 5 other civilians were heading home to Lanao del Sur’s Wao town from Cagayan de Oro City when rebels ambushed them. 

Tagros said at least 30 gunmen were involved in the ambush. They escaped after the attack, but left behind an improvised explosive that was carefully disarmed by soldiers. The area was littered with bullet casings fired from AK-47 assault rifles. 

He said the policemen were also heading back to their headquarters in Bumbaran town when the ambush occurred. “These acts committed by the NPA bandits are clear violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law as this agreement prohibits attacks against civilians and non-combatants and bans the use of landmine,” Tagros said. 

Brigadier General Eric Vinoya, the brigade commander, strongly condemned the ambush and branded the attack as barbaric. “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this barbaric act committed by the perpetrators of this incident which resulted to the tragic death of a four-month old baby girl and one of our police personnel,” Vinoya said. 

“These perpetrators can be compared to savages, infant killers, and murderers of innocent civilians, who thrive on abusing the weak by using coercion and intimidation, without giving any regard to human life and established laws. They do not belong in this civilized society. They will be punished,” he added. 

There was no immediate statement from the NPA which has been fighting for many decades now for the establishment of a separate communist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

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