No truth to ambush by the military in Motiong, Samar

By Maj. OTHELO D. YAÑEZ, (FA) PA
October 3, 2007

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The ambush that took place last 26 September 2007 at around 10:00 o’clock in the evening killing 3 civilians and wounding six others perpetrated by the military as alleged by the National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas are all lies and purely fabrications for their unpopular revolutionary ends.

In the statement of Fr. Santiago Salas, NDF-EV Spokesman that the 8th Infantry Division and its 46th Infantry Battalion was responsible for the attack on Brgy Chairman Dacatimban and eight barangay councilors has no truth and no basis at all as this is a pure propaganda to brainwash the public and put the military and police into bad light.

Based on the report, Barangay Captain Vedasto Dacatimban of Caranas, Motiong, Samar with eight (8) companions mostly barangay councilors were traversing the provincial road from Barangay Calapi to Barangay Caranas on board a multicab when they were brutally ambushed by NPA terrorists belonging to the Arnulfo Ortiz Command headed by Communist Terrorists Leader (CTL) Loreto Dacanay alias Sol.

Earlier at around 4:00 o’clock PM, Barangay Councilor Ernesto General, also of Barangay Caranas was mercilessly peppered with bullets by six (6) armed NPA terrorists led by CTL Naning Laboc alias Payong while on his way home from a wedding ceremony of a relative at Barangay Canvais of same town for suspecting him as a government informer and refusing to heed to their call not to run in the incoming Barangay Elections. He died instantaneously due to nineteen (19) gunshot wounds from caliber 45 pistols.

Upon knowing the incident, Barangay Chairman Dacatimban and eight (8) of his councilors went to Calapi Patrol Base under 46IB purposely to give information and shed light with regards to the killing of Barangay Councilor General.

But while on their way home, the group of Brgy Chairman Dacatimban whose intention is to report and shed light to the murder of General were waylaid down along the provincial road of Motiong, Samar.

Fr. Salas also demanded the military to immediately release and free Barangay Councilor Jaime Dacutanan and Richard Dacatimban whom he alleged were missing and abducted by the military.

These statements are all propaganda lies and hallucinations of the NDF-EV spokesman to cover-up their own atrocities committed. The two whom he alleged missing and abducted actually were able to escape the “killing zone” but were unfortunately wounded also. They were found in a nearby barangay and were brought to Samar Provincial Hospital for treatment. They are now in the custody of Mayor Pacanan of Motiong, Samar.

The military detachment under 2lt Ray John Labiao in the area immediately conducted hot pursuit to withdrawing NPA terrorists and also provided first aid to the wounded and coordinated transportation for their evacuation.

The military is the protector of the people and the state and strictly adhere and respect the principles of human rights. Civilians or non-combatants are not targets of military operations.

Major General Armando L Cunanan AFP, the Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division condemns this barbaric act perpetrated by the NPA Communist Terrorist while he extends sympathy and expresses his condolences to the bereaved family of the victims.

He also calls on all sectors of the society to be vigilant against these groups who are masquerading as champions of their causes like Fr. Salas and his Communist Terrorist allies as these are traps they use purposely to deceive and entice people to support their evil intentions of destroying the democratic liberties of the people.

“We urge all investigative bodies and other human rights advocates to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to once and for all identify the perpetrators and to seek justice to the families and relatives of the victims,” Cunanan said.