NPA apologizes for Sept. 1 grenade attack in Davao

The communist New People's Army apologized over the weekend for a thrown grenade that injured at least 41 people in Davao City on September 1. In a statement, the NPA's Merardo Arce Command-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command said it took full responsibility for the incident. "The NPA issues this self-criticism to apologize to the public and the families for the scores of casualties, including children. 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," it said. The grenade was thrown that day at an Armed Forces of the Philippines detachment in Brgy. Fatima, Paquibato District at 8:30 p.m. The NPA said its 1st Pulang Bagani Company "made a wrong decision" in initiating the tactical offensive against the AFP detachment in a civilian population. It said that while it had a legitimate target, it "erred in considering the circumstances, combat intelligence and all pertinent operational information in instigating the NPA action." Due to the incident, it said its Merardo Arce Command-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command is holding an internal 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," it said. — BM, GMA News