The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion plans on conducting an aerial strike at Mandalagan Mountain Range, part of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP), in Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava, according to statement from Roselyn Jean Pelle Command – New People’s Army (RJPC-NPA).
RJPC-NPA said, in a statement released July 19, they received an email from a concerned citizen that the 79th IB-PA is targeting Sitios Tinibiangan, Ekogan, Nabaisan, Calanugan, Victory and Yamingon in Barangay Minapasuk.
As of May 26, 2022, the Philippine Army has conducted military operations in the forested area of Barangay Minapasuk, aiming to have an armed engagement with the elements of RJPC-NPA, the statement added.
The Philippine Army claims an armed clash occurred on July 6 in Sitio Banwa Minatay, Barangay Marcelo, but according to a separate statement from RCPC-NPA released July 19, the 79th IB-PA indiscriminately fired at civilians.
Around 11:00 AM, two elements of the 79th IB-PA initially indiscriminately fired at a forested area, prompting a total of 40 elements to further shoot indiscriminately. A child was severely wounded from a gunshot.
Now, residents are further distressed with the news of bombing plans, fearing for loss of lives and livelihood, according to RCPC-NPA.
Calatrava’s Municipal Council recently approved the 79th IB-PA’s proposal of a 3-day bomb testing in Barangay Minapasuk. A 15-m radius per bomb is sure to damage the protected area, said Juanito Magbanua of Apolinario Gatmaitan Command – New People’s Army (AGC-NPA) in a Tweet today, July 20.
The Northern Negros Natural Park is a protected area and is the province’s largest watershed and water source for 17 municipalities and cities including the Bacolod metropolitan area. The NNNP is home to the Visayan spotted deer, Visayan warty pig, Philippine naked-backed fruit bat and the endangered Negros shrew.
The NNNP is a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) 154 recognised by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priority-setting Program, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Nos. 14 & 15.
The statement concluded with an appeal to elected officials to take proper action on the Army’s bombing plan and for the Commission on Human Rights and other human rights groups to conduct independent investigations on the human rights violations in the area and the implications of the planned air strike. They call on all environment-loving individuals and groups as well as the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources to condemn the planned bombing.
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Paghimutad 