Soldier killed by alleged NPA members in Capiz -AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday called for justice after its soldier working on community development in Capiz was allegedly killed by communist armed rebels.

In a statement, the AFP identified the soldier as Army Corporal Frederic Villasis, who was deployed to conduct community support for peace and development in an isolated area of Barangay Lahug in Tapaz.

The military said Villasis was "brutally murdered by [New People's Army] terrorists" in Tapaz on August 11.

Villasis was supposed to follow up on the people’s request for a water system, which is part of the ongoing Community Support Program (CSP) of the AFP.

The AFP pointed out that CSP is a peaceful approach in solving insurgency by addressing its root causes by providing livelihood, education and the delivery of government services.

On Wednesday, AFP chief Lieutenant General Jose Faustino Jr. slammed the NPA over the “cold-blooded murder” of Villasis

“The AFP extends its condolence to the family and loved ones of Corporal Villasis who left behind a wife, and two young children,” he said in a statement.

“The AFP will exhaust all available resources to achieve justice for our comrade and put an end to the decades-old problem of armed conflict so that our nation may enjoy genuine peace and development,” he added. -MDM, GMA News