DILG condemns terror attacks during ‘Odette’ relief operations
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) condemned the senseless attacks perpetrated by terrorist groups even in the midst of disaster relief operations.
DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said these heartless individuals have total disregard for human life unmindful of the situation where they choose no place and time so long their objectives are fulfilled.
Malaya cited an instance during the pre-emptive evacuation for typhoon Odette where communist groups launched attacks against the local government units (LGUs), Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) where three were killed in an incident in Barangay Esperanza in Carmen, Surigao del Sur.
Among the victims of the said attack was a father identified as Mario Landesa who was on his way hom when New People’s Army (NPA) members staged the offensive.
The DILG official noted that the latest fatalities are among those in the long list of victims perpetuated by the terror attacks by the rebels in the country.
“The DILG condemns these extremely disregard for human life amidst a disaster wala po silang panahon na pinipili para biktimahin ang ating mga kabayayan kasama na ang ating mga kasunadaluhan at kapulisan na hindi naman gumagawa ng operation,’’ Malaya said.
With this total disregard for public welfare, these groups according to the DILG Spox have hindered the government’s pandemic response as he echoed the sentiments of the concerned local chief executives (LCE) chiding the terrorist groups for their “senseless and heartless acts’’ in the midst of emergency incidents.
“Paano po tayo maniniwala na sila (terrorists) ay nakikipaglaban para sa kabutihan ng ating bansa kung sila mismo ang bumibiktima sa mga taong gustong tumulong sa ating mga kababayan,’’ he added.
As this developed, Malaya assured that additional PNP personnel will be dispatched to protect the LGUs from rebel attacks saying there is a lack of police officers in the mountainous areas.
“We will do what we can for them pero ang ginagawa natin ngayon is yung mga kaukulang kaso ay kailangan maifile natin para kung mahuli natin ang mga yan pwede sila agad makulong’’ he added.
Malaya assured that the DILG and Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) chiefs will lead government officials in the visit to the typhoon Odette affected areas not later than Jan. 13 to ensure that the ayuda (cash aid) and other forms of assistance reached the intended beneficiaries.
