DILG secretary condemns killing of four cops

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año called on the New People’s Army (NPA) to yield even as he condemned the recent killings of four police officers in Ayungon, Negros Oriental.

“Magbago na kayo. Alam nyo naman na hindi kayo mananalo. Niloloko lang kayo ng mga leaders ninyo (Turn over a new leaf. You know you will not win. Your leaders are fooling you),” said Año, a former AFP chief of staff.

He also condemned what he described as the summary execution of the four policemen.

“They tortured them, pinarada sa harap ng mga tao sa barangay at binaril (They were paraded before the people and shot),” Año said.

He also scored the rebels for treating the police officers like animals, which is opposite their stance and call for human rights protection.

The DILG chief added that captured rebels are treated well.

“Sabi nila yung mga NPA may pinaglalaban. E bakit kung tratohin nila yung mga pulis parang hayop. Tayo nga kung meron tayong mahuhuli na kasamahan nila, tinutulungan, natin, pinakakain pinagagamot.”

He said the army and the police in the area were ordered to go after the “killers” of the cops.

Año said some local government units in Negros already declared the NPA as persona non grata or unwelcome persons.

He urged the people to help and cooperate with law enforces to put a stop to the alleged atrocities of the rebels.