/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ October 18, 2009, GMA News, 12:56 PM, Suspected NPA gunman kills unarmed soldier in Abra,
October 18, 2009, GMA News, 12:56 PM, Suspected NPA gunman kills unarmed soldier in Abra,
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October 18, 2009, GMA News, 12:56 PM, Suspected NPA gunman kills unarmed soldier in Abra,
BAYOMBONG, PHILIPPINES – A soldier returning from a relief and rescue operation was gunned down by an alleged New People’s Army (NPA) gunman.
The Army identified the victim as TSg. Bartolome Valencia, who at the time of the attack was going home to Sitio Abbobotoc of Lacub town's Lenneng village in the province of Abra on Thursday night.
Witnesses point to one named Edwin Balawag as behind Valencia’s killing.
Valencia who just came from humanitarian missions to typhoon Pepeng affected communities in Abra was reportedly unarmed and was on his way to assist members of his family who were also victims of the calamity.
However, the road going to Lenneng village was closed due to a landslide triggered by heavy rains, forcing Valencia and other civilians to stay in the area while waiting for the rain to subside. The suspect reportedly took advantage of the situation.
Witnesses who asked not to be named said that Balawag, who also goes by the name “Bagyan," is reportedly a member of the communist movement.
The slain soldier belongs to the 41st Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (ID) based in Camp Upi in Gamu town in Isabela. He was the platoon sergeant of his unit’s disaster, relief and rescue operations.
Maj. General Nestor Ochoa, 5th ID Commanding Officer (CO) condemned the killing of Valencia. He said there is an ongoing disaster relief and rescue operation for the victims of the recent typhoon, and that the killing was a clear violation of the suspension of military operations (SOMO) between the communist insurgents and government forces.
“The communist terrorists obviously took advantage of the SOMO. This incident not only violates the law of our country but also that of the Geneva Convention," Ochoa said.
Meanwhile, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding creating a Church-Military Advisory Group (CMAG) in Nueva Vizcaya, Brig. Gen. Romeo Fajardo, CO of the Army’s 502nd Brigade told GMANews.TV that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s time table to eradicate the communist movement in the country before she steps down from office, is still on track.
With only seven months left before President Arroyo relinquishes her position, Fajardo said that if all NPA combatants will not be physically annihilated, at least they will not have an organization anymore to seek shelter from.
“The Cagayan Valley region used to be a hotbed for communists but now they have dwindled to an insignificant force, in fact there are only less than 50 armed rebels actively campaigning between the Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela border." He said. - Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV
October 17, 2009, GMA News, 10:07 PM, Columban leader in Mindanao to seek priest’s release
The superior general of abducted Irish priest Michael Sinnott flew into Mindanao from Hong Kong to meet with a local Catholic bishop in Pagadian City and appeal for Sinnott's release.
An article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site (www.cbcpnews.com) Saturday night said Fr. Tommy Murphy met with Pagadian Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar.
“He met with Bishop Cabajar, the clergy and community of Pagadian City including Fr. Mick’s Hangop Kabataan Foundation’s beneficiaries, to express his sincere appreciation for everyone’s concern to get Fr. Mick back to safety," said Fr. O’ Donoghue, superior of the Columban missionaries in the Philippines.
O’Donoghue said Murphy flew in from Hong Kong last Thursday and flew to Ozamiz City Friday morning and proceeded to the Columban Residence in Pagadian, the capital city of Zamboanga del Sur province.
He renewed calls for the immediate release of Sinnott, who was abducted by armed men last Sunday. [See: Gunmen seize Irish priest in Pagadian City]
Police released on Saturday computer-generated images of the suspects, based on an artist's sketches.
“The Columbans in the Philippines sincerely appreciates Fr. Tommy’s visit, having to take the time to see us in Pagadian City," O’Donoghue added.
He said the congregation had moved its central administration from Dublin, Ireland to Hong Kong effective May 1 last year. The congregation’s General Council had its offices in Ireland since the Society’s founding in 1918. - GMANews.TV
The Army identified the victim as TSg. Bartolome Valencia, who at the time of the attack was going home to Sitio Abbobotoc of Lacub town's Lenneng village in the province of Abra on Thursday night.
Witnesses point to one named Edwin Balawag as behind Valencia’s killing.
Valencia who just came from humanitarian missions to typhoon Pepeng affected communities in Abra was reportedly unarmed and was on his way to assist members of his family who were also victims of the calamity.
However, the road going to Lenneng village was closed due to a landslide triggered by heavy rains, forcing Valencia and other civilians to stay in the area while waiting for the rain to subside. The suspect reportedly took advantage of the situation.
Witnesses who asked not to be named said that Balawag, who also goes by the name “Bagyan," is reportedly a member of the communist movement.
The slain soldier belongs to the 41st Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (ID) based in Camp Upi in Gamu town in Isabela. He was the platoon sergeant of his unit’s disaster, relief and rescue operations.
Maj. General Nestor Ochoa, 5th ID Commanding Officer (CO) condemned the killing of Valencia. He said there is an ongoing disaster relief and rescue operation for the victims of the recent typhoon, and that the killing was a clear violation of the suspension of military operations (SOMO) between the communist insurgents and government forces.
“The communist terrorists obviously took advantage of the SOMO. This incident not only violates the law of our country but also that of the Geneva Convention," Ochoa said.
Meanwhile, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding creating a Church-Military Advisory Group (CMAG) in Nueva Vizcaya, Brig. Gen. Romeo Fajardo, CO of the Army’s 502nd Brigade told GMANews.TV that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s time table to eradicate the communist movement in the country before she steps down from office, is still on track.
With only seven months left before President Arroyo relinquishes her position, Fajardo said that if all NPA combatants will not be physically annihilated, at least they will not have an organization anymore to seek shelter from.
“The Cagayan Valley region used to be a hotbed for communists but now they have dwindled to an insignificant force, in fact there are only less than 50 armed rebels actively campaigning between the Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela border." He said. - Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV
October 17, 2009, GMA News, 10:07 PM, Columban leader in Mindanao to seek priest’s release
The superior general of abducted Irish priest Michael Sinnott flew into Mindanao from Hong Kong to meet with a local Catholic bishop in Pagadian City and appeal for Sinnott's release.
An article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site (www.cbcpnews.com) Saturday night said Fr. Tommy Murphy met with Pagadian Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar.
“He met with Bishop Cabajar, the clergy and community of Pagadian City including Fr. Mick’s Hangop Kabataan Foundation’s beneficiaries, to express his sincere appreciation for everyone’s concern to get Fr. Mick back to safety," said Fr. O’ Donoghue, superior of the Columban missionaries in the Philippines.
O’Donoghue said Murphy flew in from Hong Kong last Thursday and flew to Ozamiz City Friday morning and proceeded to the Columban Residence in Pagadian, the capital city of Zamboanga del Sur province.
He renewed calls for the immediate release of Sinnott, who was abducted by armed men last Sunday. [See: Gunmen seize Irish priest in Pagadian City]
Police released on Saturday computer-generated images of the suspects, based on an artist's sketches.
“The Columbans in the Philippines sincerely appreciates Fr. Tommy’s visit, having to take the time to see us in Pagadian City," O’Donoghue added.
He said the congregation had moved its central administration from Dublin, Ireland to Hong Kong effective May 1 last year. The congregation’s General Council had its offices in Ireland since the Society’s founding in 1918. - GMANews.TV
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