AMBUSH FALLOUT: Group calls for probe on Negros Army commander

BACOLOD City – Task Force Kasanag national commander John Chiong on April 30, 2019 asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to investigate Brig. Gen.Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, for possible collusion and neglect of duty in the recent ambush on the convoy of Vice Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental last week.

TF Kasanag is an anti-drug and corruption organization.

The ambush led to the deaths of Yulo’s brother Mark Garcia and her nephew Councilor Michael Garcia.

Chiong said a military detachment is located at Barangay Libas, Isabela, a kilometer away from the ambush  site  at Hacienda  Dresden, Brgy. Inolingan, Moises Padilla.

It was also in the area that the ambushers made their escape, Chiong said

He questioned why it took the military allegedly more than two hours to respond to the call for assistance and how come the ambushers said to be numbering to 20 were able to get out of the area and pass by the military detachment unnoticed.

“Did they act deaf and blind?” Chiong asked.

Chiong also said that the credibility of Arevalo is under question adding that the latter owed his promotion to Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña.

Arevalo was promoted after National Democratic Front (NDF) consultant Frank Fernandez was captured last month.

NDF is an umbrella group of organizations allied with communist rebels.

In a press conference that followed Fernandez’ arrest, Arevalo publicly acknowledged that it was Peña who provided them resources that resulted in the capture of the rebel leader.

In interviews with the media, Arevalo said they were unable to respond quickly to the ambush as they escorted the group transporting election paraphernalia in their area.