Sec. Deles condemns NPA atrocities during holiday

KIDAPAWAN CITY - SecretaryTeresita Deles of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process has expressed frustration on the alleged ‘blatant’ disregard of the communist guerillas of the Christmas season when they reciprocated government’s gesture of a month-long unilateral ceasefire with acts of ‘senseless violence.’ In a statement issued to media today, Deles strongly condemned such ‘pointless violence’. If they are truly serious in their call for the resumption of peace negotiations with the government, we challenge? them to walk their talk and stop harassing development projects, civilians, and unarmed soldiers on holiday,” said Deles.She stressed, There is no way to peace but through peace.” On December 22, the NPAs set fire a vehicle owned by a civilian in Agusan del Sur and torched heavy equipment used in the construction of a bridge in Paracale, Camarines Norte. Both acts were committed in retaliation for the civilians' refusal to give in to their extortion,” said Deles. On December 23, NPA members abducted Compostela Valley Jail Warden Jose Mervin Gementiza Coquilla in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. On December 29, in Sitio Barigyan, Brgy Candinuyan, Mabini, Compostela Valley, 1LT Ronald Bautista, Private First Class Albert Amor, and CAFGU Auxiliary Renel Baluca -- unarmed soldiers in civilian clothes, were on their way to spend the holidays with their families when they were shot point blank by members of the NPA.