The Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday condemned the New People’s Army for perpetrating atrocities against the Indigenous Peoples’ communities amid the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
“While every sector in the country and the whole world are battling an invisible virus and its economic and social impact, the Communist Terrorist Group is aggravating the misery of the communities by taking advantage of carrying out attacks against the vulnerable communities,” Maj Gen. Jose C. Faustino Jr., commander of Eastern Mindanao Command said.
“This is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law,” Faustino said.
The rebels allegedly attacked a village in Kapalong, Davao del Norte on Tuesday, prompting the 60th Infantry Battalion Community Support Teams to respond. An hour later, the rebels also attacked the unit that was conducting a clearing operation.
On March 19, the rebels also allegedly murdered two elderly who were members of the Manobo tribe in Sitio Inadan, Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
On the same day, President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with rebels so that the government could focus its efforts in containing the spread of the virus.
