NPA shoots PDT Soldier at the back then robs; PDTs facilitate tenurial rights

Negros Occidental—The shooting incident on Tuesday against a soldier of the Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion’s (47IB) Peace and Development Team (PDT) transpired will all four initial gunshots fired at the back then a last frontal shot made after the soldier has already fallen on the ground as revealed by witnesses here.

Personal belongings contained in the bag of Pfc John P Ilisan of 47IB's Bravo Company was also taken after being shot to death by his attackers at Sitio Camboguiot,  Brgy Camindangan, Silay City.

“This does not reflect of a revolutionary anymore. This is no different from what hardened criminals do. They have no regards on the safety of the people; they killed, they looted, and abused the right of Pfc Ilisan and other people in Cambogiout. On their way out they pointed their guns to the people they met”, said Ltc Rodrigo Sosmeña, Commander of the Army’s 47IB.

Locals want PDT’s to remain

"Gusto tani namon diri nalang gid mag permanente ang army sa amon para mabuligan man kami sa amon mga problema sa duta(If possible, we wanted the Army to remain here permanently so that they can help us in our need to solve land issues)", a local said in Ilonggo dilalect.

“When i attended the pulong-pulong (dialogue) in Sitio Cambugiot this afternoon, I learned from the people how they admired the PDT roaming around the Sitios of barangay Camindangan and Manlukahok in Sipalay City”, Sosmeña said on Wednesday.

Soldiers Facilitating Tenurial Rights

According to Sosmeña, said PDT was already able to facilitate the awarding of 8 Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) in Sitio Calagmakan of Barangay Camindangan and the processing for  issuance of 104 tenurial instruments for farmer-recipients of Barangay Camindangan which are already on the pipeline (in the Registry of Deeds) pending payment of taxes.

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 Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers | June 20, 2012 | Article Link

Unarmed Army Peace and Development Team member killed

Sipalay City, Negros Oriental-A soldier from a Peace and Development Team (PDT) of the 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB) was killed by individuals believed to be members of the New People's Army (NPA) 8a.m. here.

Pfc John P Ilisan of 47IB's Bravo Company was shot to death by his attackers at Sitio Camboguiot,  Brgy Camindangan, of said city.Accordingly, Ilisan was with a fellow soldier to buy food stuffs early on a market day in said sitio for the PDT's consumption.

Bravo Company, 47IB is currently on pursuit operations.

"Our deepest sympathy goes with the family and love ones of Pfc Ilisan. What he fought for peace and development in Negros will surely be continued", said Col Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade Commander.

"He is the epitome of a PDT operator. Unarmed at that time who lived with the people he served", added Lactao.

"He was there to help the farmers of barangays Camindangan and Manlukahok, Sipalay city on their land ownership and tenurial concerns by serving as conduit between the farmers and the right government agencies", said Ltc Rodrigo Sosmeṅa, 47IB Commander.

"The killing of Pfc Ilisan who is doing community peace and development works is not only an attack to the unit but to the farmers and the peace loving people of Sipalay city. This is a plain display of desperation on the part of the NPA who cannot accept that they are already alienated from the farmers' support", added Sosmeṅa.

"Nevertheless, we will continue our commitment to the farmers to help them and free them from the deceit and manipulation of the NPA", said Sosmeṅa.

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Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers  | June 18, 2012 | Article Link