TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) on Friday condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) for what it called “heinous violations” of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) following a Dec. 3 encounter in Samar that left two soldiers dead.
The 8ID said troops were deployed after residents reported NPA members forcibly entering private properties and using civilian homes as temporary hideouts.
Upon arriving in the upland Babaclayon village in San Jose de Buan, soldiers were met with heavy gunfire, prompting a defensive response.
“The soldiers maneuvered to protect civilians within the area but were treacherously targeted by the armed group, leading to the death of two troops who were performing security operations to safeguard the community. We condemned the NPA’s continued disregard for civilian safety for once again violating rules governing armed conflict,” the 8ID stated on Friday.
These actions constitute clear transgressions of IHL provisions safeguarding civilian communities, according to 8ID.
Pursuit operations have been launched to track down the remaining members of the NPA involved in the encounter.
The fourth-class San Jose de Buan town, with a population of nearly 8,000, is one of the NPA’s strongholds in Samar Island, considering its strategic location within the tri-boundaries of Northern, Eastern, and Samar provinces. (PNA)