ILIGAN City – A barangay chief’s son was killed allegedly by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Spring, Barangay Cawayan in San Fernando, Bukidnon Friday.
The group belongs to alias Monsor of Guerilla Front Malayag, Sub Regional Committee-2 (SRC-2), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
403rd Infantry Brigade commander Colonel Ferdinand Barandon identified the victim as Jerson Blanza, 23, son of the punong barangay of Barangay Magkalungay, San Fernando, Bukidnon. He was fatally hit on the first volley of fire from the NPA.
“We are deeply saddened of Jerson’s loss. His father PB Blanza is very supportive of our efforts to keep his people from NPA manipulation and on our war against COVID19. We offer our sincerest condolences and we strongly condemn this terror act of the NPAs”, Barandon concluded.
Barangay Cawayan was once a stronghold of the NPA and the rebel group wants to recover the area, according to the military.
“We all know that the NPA does not value human life. They recruit children to bear arms and they kill their allies and comrades wanting to leave their doomed revolution,” Barandon said.
“Everyone knows they only wanted power and money. As everyone of us thinks of ways to help one another to survive this pandemic, they are still bragging they have time to plan and attack communities,” Barandon added.
Capt. Rene Belmonte, 403Bde spokesman, said the brigade’s unit has been engaged on information and education campaign on coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19).
“We do loud speaker operations, radio programs, social media operation, check point operation, community and sitio visitation, and recently leaflet/info kit dropping thru our air assets.
“We do all of these while doing security operations to ensure every Filipino is equipped with knowledge to combat COVID19 while at the same to ensure our people are secured from threat and intimidation of terrorist groups”. (Bonita L. Ermac)
