THE Armed Forces yesterday vowed to bring justice to the families of two construction workers who were killed in an ambush staged by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Northern Samar last Saturday.
AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said the military has stepped up vigilance to prevent a repeat of the attack that led to the death of the Roel Lebico and Jerson Cabe.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims as we vow to help find and exact justice for them,” said Aguilar.
“We will lend our hands for the apprehension of those responsible, and in the filing of appropriate cases against them until the people’s call for justice is fulfilled,” added Aguilar.
The victims, working on the construction of a farm-to-market road in the province, were on the way home when they were waylaid in Las Navas town.
The military said the rebels first detonated an internationally-banned anti-personnel mine then shot the victims, leading to their instantaneous death.
Aguilar urged the public to join hands “in calling out the CTG (communist terrorist group) for their terroristic act against unarmed and innocent individuals.
“The CTG is in a desperate position following the huge losses they incurred in the Visayas region. To this, we have heightened our vigilance against similar attacks as we continue our pursuit of the remaining communist terrorists in the area,” said Aguilar.
The AFP Visayas Command has said 17 rebels died in 15 military-initiated encounters against the NPA Visayas last month. Twenty-three others surrendered during the same period.
The most recent encounter occurred in Catarman, Northern Samar last May 28. The fighting led to the death of four rebels, including three leaders, and the recovery of four firearms and other war materiel.
