Army colonel attacked in Cagayan de Oro City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – An army officer was hurt in a shooting incident in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday morning, July 16.

Initial military reports said that Col. Edwin Respicio of the 10 Regional Community Defense Group was attacked by an unknown assailant along Barangay Bulua.

Respicio reportedly sustained injury on his face but he is now in a stable condition in a hospital. 

In a separate incident last Saturday, July 11, a soldier was killed while another was captured by communist guerrillas in a firefight in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental. 

Cpt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the military’s 4th Infantry Division, said government forces engaged about 30 members of the New People’s Army in Barangay Alagatan at around 5:30 pm.

Two civilians were also hurt after they got caught in the crossfire. 

Rebel spokesman Ka Allan Juanito claimed responsibility for the incident and identified the captured soldier as Pfc. Adonis Jess Maghanoy with serial number 863573. 

“The NPA custodial unit ensures the humanitarian treatment of Pfc. Lupeba as a POW and in accordance to the rules of engagement, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), and the three rule and eight points of discipline of the NPA regarding the humanitarian treatment of prisoners of war,” Juanito said. 

Juanito, however, said that Lupeba is presently “undergoing investigation” and will be immediately released once proven that he has not committed any serious offense against the revolutionary movement. 

Just last week, leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines, including Jose Maria Sison and Luis Jalandoni recently met with members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. in The Netherlands to explore ways to revive the stalled peace negotiations. 

The communist movement is Asia’s longest-running Maoist revolution. – Rappler.com