Reds kill 2 children in Northern Samar attack

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Two children were killed while an adult civilian was wounded in an attack by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Catubig, Northern Samar on Tuesday.

Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo, 803rd Infantry Brigade (IB) commander, said the soldiers were responding to the reported presence of armed men in Barangay Roxas when the shooting occurred.

“On their way to the reported location of the armed rebels, the troops passed by a group of civilians. They were asked to stay behind because the rebels are in the area.  Nagawang dumapa ng mga sundalo, pero yung mga civilians na nasa likod nila, nagtakbuhan. Pinaputukan ng NPA yung mga civilians kaya tinamaan agad yung tatlo,” Peñaredondo said.

Andre Mercado, 12, was declared dead on arrival at the Catubig Hospital.

Leandro Alivio, 13, died while being treated at the Northern Samar Hospital on Wednesday.

“Before he died, the 13-year-old boy narrated that they were hit by NPA gunfire. The 26-year-old survivor revealed that they were behind the soldiers when the NPA rebels opened fire, prompting them to run away, but unfortunately they were hit. Consistent with the narrative of the boy, the NPA deliberately fired at them,” Maj. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, 8th Infantry Division commander, said.

Two rebels were also reportedly wounded when the soldiers returned fire.

An unconfirmed report from Northern Samar said a 10-year-old boy, who was gathering copra with the three other children was also killed during the gunfight.

Another minor managed to escape and reported the incident to barangay officials.

The municipal government of Catubig and the provincial government of Northern Samar provided assistance to the relatives of the fatalities and the wounded civilian.

The 803rd IB deployed a team to Barangay Roxas to conduct a fact-finding probe.

NPA checkpoint

Meanwhile, in Surigao del Sur, around 100 members of the NPA Guerrilla Front 30-Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee set up a checkpoint along the highway in Sitio Lubcon, Barangay Mabahin in Cortes town yesterday.

The rebels also reportedly ransacked the house of former Army officer 2nd Lt. Joven Rivera.

Police confirmed the incident, which stalled traffic in the area, as the communist guerrillas threatened and harassed commuters, motorists and residents.

The rebels left at around 9 a.m. when personnel of the Police Provincial Mobile Force and 36th IB conducted clearing operations. – Ben Serrano