The New People’s Army (NPA) has denied a report that it was behind an ambush of policemen under the 2nd Palawan Provincial Mobile Force Compay (PPMFC) in Barangay New Agutaya, San Vicente on May 20.
In a statement furnished to Palawan News, the NPA’s Bienvenido Vallever Command (BVC) denied mounting an attack as reported by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and San Vicente Mayor Amy Alvarez.
The ambush reportedly resulted in the wounding of a policeman, identified as Patrolman Jayson Javarez Catanduanes.
“Hindi kabilang ang aming mga yunit sa nagsagawa ng naturang ambus[h] kung totoo man na may naganap na pang-aambush,” the NPA statement said.
The group claimed that they have an internal policy not to engage government forces who are directly involved in COVID-19 activities.
“Mahigpit na ipinatutupad ng BVC sa lahat ng mga yunit nito ang patakarang hindi dapat ibilang sa armadong aksyon ng NPA ang lahat ng mga indibidwal, grupo at sector (maging military man o pulis) na nakatalagang maghatid ng suplay sa mga apektado ng pandemyang COVID-19,” the statement said.
“Ibinibigay rin ng BVC ang simpatya kay Patrolman Jayson Javares Catanduanes na naging kaswalti sa nasabing ambush. Tiyak naming biktima sya ng ganid na pansariling interes ng kanilang mga opisyal upang magkaroon ng magandang dahilan ang kabagalan ng kanilang paghahatid ng mga relief sa mga taong epektado ng magulo, pabago-bago at di maintindihang patakaran gubyerno sa pagharap sa Covid-19,” it added.
P/Capt. Ric Ramos, spokesperson of Palawan Provincial Police Office said that they haven’t released any reaction to the NPA’s statement.
“Wala pa po kaming nilalabas na response, nag-aantay pa kami ng response ng mga boss,” Ramos said.
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