Civilians Straffes by Bullets by The 9th ID in Fake Encounter in Sipocot, Camarines Sur

The statement of Captain Ronnie Madriñan, OIC of the Division of Public Affairs Office (DPAO) of the 9th ID, that they were able to kill a member of the NPA in a 5-minute gunfight on March 30 in Sitio Traktora, Bagong Silang, Sipocot, Camarines Sur, is a lie. There was no NPA unit in the area at that time. There was no encounter.

Last March 30, at around 3:00 pm, elements from the 9th ID, aboard two vans, went to Sitio Traktora, allegedly to respond to a report of NPA presence. However, instead of encountering the NPA, they suddenly strafed civilians at the sitio’s waiting shed. Renel Mirabeles was killed, while Joseph Sagario and Regie Loprandado were severely injured. Then, they abducted another civilian, Erick Madrona, and accused him of being a member of the NPA.

To cover up their failure, the 9th ID announced that an encounter took place, an addition to the series of lies fabricated by the AFP. Last February 7, the 9th ID also announced the fake news of an encounter between the NPA and the 902nd Brigade in Barangay Mambulo Nuevo, Libmanan, Camarines Sur.

Fake news and civilian targets – this has long been the modus of the AFP. This has intensified since the declaration of an all-out-war under the bogus Oplan Kapayapaan (Operation Peace) of the Duterte regime. Like rabid dogs, the AFP has turned to terrorizing civilians to mask their failure and inutility in defeating the NPA. In its desire to recoup its loss during the March 18 offensive of the Norben Gruta Command, the 9th ID has targeted civilians instead. This is akin to the 2015 killing of the farmer Sonny Talay in Pag-oring Nuevo, Libmanan, by the AFP-PNP after suffering losses from an NPA ambush. Up to now, Talay ‘s death has not been given justice.

The Norben Gruta Command firmly asserts that the 9th ID be made accountable for its terrorist actions. The offensives of the NGC are part of administering justice for the victims; however, parallel action should be also undertaken by the people to make the 9th ID answer for its crimes. If not, these 9th ID butchers will become more brutal and relentless.

Justice for the victims of the 9th ID!