The ambush in La Castellana

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Relatives of the victims of the January 27 ambush by the New People's Army (NPA) in La Castellana town of Negros Occidental seek for justice

SEARCH FOR JUSTICE: Relatives of the victims of NPA ambush in Negros Occidental. Photo by RAPPLER/Carmela Fonbuena

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Relatives of the victims of the January 27 ambush by the New People’s Army (NPA) in La Castellana town of Negros Occidental continue to seek justice. 

They spoke to reporters after the visit of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen Emmanuel Bautista on Thursday, April 4. “We came here to show our sympathy. Nakikiramay kami sa kanila, knowing fully well how to lose a loved one. We want to find out how we can help,” Bautista told reporters after the meeting.

Murder and frustrated murder charges were filed against NPA members before the local prosecutor’s office.

Carmela Fonbuena filed this report.

ERLINDA LUCBAN

MOTHER OF SLAIN CIVILIAN JOSELITO LUCBAN

Pinatawad ko na sila. Kaya lang ‘di ko na gusto na gawin pa nila sa iba. Kapag may sasakyan na may sibilyan, papatayin kaagad? Napakasakit naman kagaya sa amin na siya lang ang bumubuhay sa amin.

Erlinda’s son Joselito spent the night helping the cops secure a barangay fiesta.

On their way home, Joselito, a cop, and 7 others were killed in the January 27 ambush by the New People’s Army.

KA JB REGALADO

NPA-LPC SPOKESPERSON

We regret that civilians were involved and it resulted in loss of lives.

Because Joselito is a member of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT), the New People’s Army doesn’t apologize for his death.

The rebel group only recognizes 3 victims as civilians. To them, Joselito and the rest of the victims were legitimate targets.

KA JB REGALADO

NPA-LPC SPOKESPERSON

BPAT members allowed the AFP and the PNP to use them to monitor movements of the NPA. 

But Erlinda and Arlyn do not really care about the prolonged war between the military and communist rebels.

ARLYN COMPLESA

WIFE OF SLAIN CIVILIAN RAMIR COMPLESA

Gusto ko iparating sa kanila. Kung anuman ang gusto nilang iparating sa kinauukulan, doon na lang nila iparating yun. Huwag na nila uulitin ang ganonng pangyayari ng kagaya sa amin.

Para sa kanila yung asawa namin parang ibon na basta basta na lang barilin. Tapos hihingi ng tawad. ganon lang sa kanya kadali yun?

Erlinda and Arlyn are not alone in their grief.

Many others have lost their loved ones — soldiers, rebels, civilians – to this conflict that has run for 45 years. 

In Negros Occidental, the communist insurgency persists. 

GEN EMMANUEL BAUTISTA

AFP CHIEF OF STAFF

I hope that our passion for peace will never waver so that no Juan Dela Cruz shall ever lose a family or loved one through any crime or violence, or be witnesses of another gruesome La Castellana massacre.

We’re talking here about Asia’s longest running insurgency. The recent collapse of the backchannel talks between the government and the National Democratic Front means peace is still a long way to go.

Carmela Fonbuena, Rappler, Negros Occidental. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!