DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 7, 2012) – Communist rebels have apologized to civilian victims of a grenade attack that targeted soldiers guarding a circus show in the southern Philippine city of Davao.
The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division has earlier tagged communist insurgents as behind the attack that left at least 47 people wounded. Officials said among those wounded in the September 1 attack in Paquibato district were 13 minors.
Rebel forces are actively operating in Davao City, especially in the outskirts where they have put up bases.
Rigoberto Sanchez, a rebel spokesman for the New People’s Army – Merardo Arce Command, said “the NPA will take concrete measures to indemnify the victims consistent with the principles of revolutionary justice and the policies governing the New People’s Army and the revolutionary movement.”
He said the Merardo Arce Command takes full responsibility for the September 1 attack at a military detachment in the village of Fatima in Paquibato district.
“The NPA issues this self-criticism to apologize to the public and the families for the scores of casualties, including children,” he said in a statement to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner, adding the rebel group “erred in considering the circumstances, combat intelligence and all pertinent operational information in instigating the NPA action.”
“The NPA’s 1st Pulang Bagani Company made a wrong decision in initiating a tactical offensive against the AFP detachment located in a civilian population,” Sanchez said.
The rebel group has begun an investigation and is ready to take appropriate courses of action, to include among others, disciplinary action on the responsible unit.
“The NPA stands firm for justice and truth and is prepared to rectify mistakes. By issuing this unflinching public apology and self-criticism, the NPA abides with the principled standpoint, viewpoint and method adopted by the NPA and the revolutionary movement,” Sanchez said.
The NPA is fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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