In an email statement to Panay News, Ariston Remus spokesman of Napoleon Tumagtang Command of NPA Southern Front said that the ranking officials of 31st Division Reconnaissance Company of Philippine Army based in Antique will pay a heavy price in their whitewashing of investigation when one of their soldiers Pfc Jerry Davila run amuck during the barangay fiesta in Brgy. Aningalan, San Remigio, Antique last December 6.

The indiscriminate firing of Davila inside the barangay plaza caused the dearth of Francisco Tacorda, resident of Cabladan, Sibalom, Antique and wounding of 14-year old Apolonio Prado and Brgy. Kagawad Elmer Batiles of Brgy. Tubudan, San Remigio, Antique.

Pfc. Davila voluntarily surrendered to Senior Supt. Ren Darroca Antique Police Director after the shooting. He was transferred in Iloilo City after police filed murder and attempted murder charges against him.

Remus describes what happened in Aningalan, as the latest result of widespread militarization in the countryside that resulted to human rights abuses of the people not only in Antique but also in other parts of Panay.

He added that the 31st DRC was also responsible in the shooting of civilian in Brgy. Panpanan II still in San Remigio last 2006 that caused the death and wounding of civilians. Remus furthered that this is on top of the unreported human rights abuses committed by security forces such as stealing of farm animals, harassment of women and other civilians and abuses in barangay festivities.

Remus said that the people reject the Philippine Army OPLAN Bantay Laya, a government campaign that aims to eliminate the revolutionary movement and the NPA in 2010. This he said resulted to harassment and intimidations, establishment of detachments and relentless conduct of strike operations, spying activities and psy-war.

However, he said that these campaigns will only serve as a bad dream for Arroyo regime because instead of being destroyed the NPA will be stronger.

The NPA spokesman added that the government offers no solution to the crisis and instead channels it to the people. The action of the government like pushing for cha-cha that seeks lifting of terms of the President and elected officials and unabated graft and corruption will only fan the people’s anger towards the present government.

The NPA will also intensify its tactical offensives against those who have blood debts to the people and protectors of the regime, he ended.