‘IT WAS A MISTAKE’
NDF, NPA apologize
for killing 3 civilians
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The National Democratic Front  and the New People’s Army in Negros yesterday asked for forgiveness for an ambush  staged by one of their units that left three civilians dead and three others wounded in Toboso, and assured that an investigation of those responsible is underway.

On July 13, the NPA ambushed an Isuzu Elf Canter service vehicle of Brgy. Salamanca that was on the way to Toboso town, and left dead Edmar Sultan, 14, of Toboso National High School, Rodolfo Salipod, 56 – the  driver, and Ena Pata, 50.

Injured were Ivy Recopelacion, 15, also a student of TNHS, Eryl Baynosa, 42, daughter of Salamanca Brgy. Captain Eriberto Baynosa, and Primitivo Lumapay, 61.

The call for localized peace talks with the New People’s Army in Negros island has been revived by the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and local Church leaders, with the resumption of peace negotiations at the national level.

Regional military spokesman Capt. Mark Andrew Posadas yesterday said the Church appeal for peace talks between the Philippine Army and the NPA in Negros was discussed during a recent regular meeting of the Church Military Advisory Group.

“We wish the NPA and its political wing, Communist Party of the Philippines will consider the proposal”, Posadas said, as he recalled the rejection of localized peace talks by rebels in previous years.

Land Transportation Office chief Norman Saril yesterday said they will resume operations at 1 p.m. today, four days after their office was hit by a fire that caused P1 million in damages.

Saril said the LTO Region 6 E-patrol van, equipped with six computer units, will be temporarily used to serve the public. He also said they will set up additional six computer units at their lobby to make transactions faster.

“We are now back in business with more vigor and enthusiasm,” Saril told the DAILY STAR.