Andanar slams torching of Misamis Oriental homes, chapel by NPA

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday condemned the recent torching of four houses and a chapel, allegedly by communist New People's Army (NPA) gunmen, in Misamis Oriental's Opol town.

In a statement, Andanar, who also serves as Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Northern Mindanao, said he found it "disturbing" and "unforgivable" that the NPA would blatantly disregard and violate the human rights of the poor, whose welfare they supposedly claim to promote.

"To destroy the properties and place of worship and to possibly endanger the lives of innocent people are dastardly acts by themselves," Andanar said.

"But to commit them at a time when many of our countrymen are already reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is extraordinarily callous and inhumane," he added.

The Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office said the officers of the Opol Municipal Police Station received a report that a born again church and four civilian houses were burned in Zone 2, Limonda in Opol at around 3:30 a.m. on May 28.

The houses were allegedly burned by more or less 10 fully armed men believed to belong to the NPA's Ace Coy, SR65 under alias Decoy, police said.

Hot pursuit operations were immediately conducted and a probe was also launched.

Andanar assured the affected residents and the public that authorities were working hard to arrest those behind the attack.

"We will help coordinate with the local government and the concerned government agencies to ensure that those affected are given the assistance that they need," he said.

"We will also coordinate with the authorities in order to remain updated on the developments regarding the incident until the matter is resolved," he added.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr. also condemned the incident.

"There is no doubt that this incident is another dastardly act committed by the communist rebels whose only objective is to instill fear, anger, and violence among village folk, the same people they profess to serve but in reality, they continue to use and abuse," he said.

"The Duterte Administration would like to assure the people of Opol that it will exhaust all means possible in order to bring the perpetrators to justice. The long arm of the law will soon be upon them and justice will be served accordingly," he added. — DVM, GMA News