AFP to NPA: More apologies, no more killing, please

Mar. 15, 2008

5TH
CIVIL RELATIONS GROUP
CIVIL RELATION SERVICE, AFP
Camp Panacan, Davao City
March 2, 2008

PRESS STATEMENT

More apologies, No more killing, please

The apology of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New Peoples
Army on the execution of businessman Vicente Ferrazini lacks sincerity and is totally
unacceptable. More than the lip service it offers, the CPP/NPA is yet to show its
seriousness in words and actions.

Centing, as the victim was popularly known to many of his friends, was shot
several times in his body on February 2 at the busy place in Bankerohan, Davao City.

He fought for his life for two days but the fatal wounds sapped all the physical strength
in him. The grieving family cremated his body on the day he died probably to shorten
the moment of anguish and despair and move on. Recently, the CPP/NPA admitted in a
press statement the error in imposing the maximum penalty of death to Centing and
the incorrect implementation of the order by the NPAs red partisan unit. It says that the
CPP/NPA is currently undertaking appropriate and necessary courses of action related
to this grievous incident.

Facts reveal that this is not the first time that the CPP/NPA ruthlessly murdered
an unarmed civilian. In 2007 alone, 9 civilians were executed by the CPP/NPA in
Region 11 including Federico dela Marquis on February 12 in Bgy Catigan, Toril, Davao
City; Dino Gay-ud on March 5 at Bgy San Jose, Moncayo, ComVal Province;
Christopher Lapindoy on March 6 at Bgy Dalagdag, Calinan, Davao City; Jerry Moran
on May 2 at Bgy Sibulan, Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur; a certain B Salomeri of Sto Tomas,
Davao del Norte on June 26; Martin Quibol on September 28 at Mawab, ComVal
Province; Hernani Ilagan on November 29 at Poblacion Compostela, ComVal Province;
and Marcelo Gillen on December 7 at Bgy San Vicente, Montevista, ComVal Province.
The CPP/NPA killed them on the mere suspicion that they were military informants.
Aside from Centing, two civilians have been executed by the CPP/NPA since
January this year for the same shallow reason. The victims were identified as Michael
Morgan who was executed on February 4 at Bgy Pindasan, Mabini, ComVal; and
Geniong Maigo on February 17 at Bgy Marayag, Lupon, Davao Oriental.

Moreover, eleven members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit
(CAFGU) and Civilian Volunteers Organizations (CVO) since last year and many of the
killings took place in Compostela Valley Province. These CAFGU/CVO members were
only there to maintain peace and order in their respective communities.

The CPP/NPA cannot claim that it struggles for genuine justice by admitting the
errors and rectifying the mistakes it makes. No amount of public apology would bring
back the life of the innocent civilians they have wrongly accused and executed. If the
CPP/NPA has the guts to accept its mistake in killing Centing, the relatives of the other
civilian victims are also waiting for its apology. And more than the public apology and
justice they are asking, the Filipinos would be happier to see the end of these senseless
killings so that finally peace would reign in the country.
Released by:
MAJ MEDEL M AGUILAR PA
Group Commander
Landline: 235-2438
Cell: 09177171969
Email: crg5_crsafp@yahoo.com

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