NPA executed an innocent barangay councilman and murdered 8 peacekeeping officers

By 803rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, 8ID, PA
August 25, 2020

CATARMAN, Northern Samar  –  A certain Mr. Rolando de Guia, an innocent barangay councilman in Brgy Imelda, Catarman this province was shot to death by the New People’s Army at around 5:30 in the morning, August 21, 2010. The fully armed local terrorist numbering ten forcibly entered the latter’s house when he was executed. The victim suffered a fatal wounds in his head, chest and legs that caused his instantaneous death.

Philippine National Police Officers on board a police mobile car at around 7:45 led by Police Senior Inspector Necasio San Antonio, the Deputy Chief of Police of Catarman PNP Station proceeded to investigate the killing and to recover the dead body of de Guia when a landmine exploded and followed by a burst of fire from the New People’s Army. Though already dead, they were finished off individually by shooting their heads to ensure their death, and torched the vehicle where San Antonio and the driver were still inside. These eight officers were brutally killed. The New People’s Army thereafter fled carting away the firearms of the police officers and stealing their personal belongings. The ambush was about four hundred meters away from Barangay Imelda. The PNP Officers were just performing police duties to investigate the killing, they are not performing combat operations when they were waylaid by these terrorists. They were non-combatants.

Colonel Oscar P. Lopez, 803rd Brigade Commander strongly condemned the atrocity by the New People’s Army, expresses his condolences and sympathy to the families of the police comrades.

Colonel Lopez urged the civil society and human rights advocate in condemning the inhumane killings perpetrated by the NPA on these peacekeeping officers and barangay councilman. This violent incident is considered as a barbaric act and against human rights. The use of landmines is prohibited under international rules of war. In spite of the peace initiatives by the government, the local terrorists have continuously refused to give peace a chance and resort to violence to sow panic and fear among the populace. He urged every citizen to be vigilant and not to be cowed by fear by these local terrorists.