Official Jungle Fighter Press Release

     Brgy. Antipolo, Rizal, Laguna - Around 7:30AM,12 May 2011, Prevention of Guerilla Infiltration (POGI) Team under Lt Sayanyan placed under the operationally control of 16^th Infantry Battalion, 2^nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army while conducting clean-up drive at Sitio Veterans, Brgy San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal were fired upon by Local Terrorists (LTs). The incident resulted to the wounding of Pfc Rene S Lacquiao. Pfc Lacquio was brought to Montalban Infirmary Hospital for treatment but declared dead on arrival.

     The troops were deployed at Sitio Veterans, Brgy San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal as part of the Community Development efforts of 16^th IB, 2ID, PA. Their presence in the barangay is in collaboration between the 2ID troopers and the Local Government Units and other stakeholders of Rizal Province. Their main tasks are to assist the residents in identifying the primary problem/issue of the community; to facilitate the delivery of needed projects/programs of the government; and to facilitate the conduct of community development programs such as Medical Missions, Feeding Programs, Livelihood Assistance/Programs and other priority programs.

     The AFP in collaboration with the LGUs, LGAs, POs, NGOs and other stakeholders is employing possible means to advance community development in the poorest and LTGs affected areas. With these actions, LTGs does pre-empt development by employing hostile actions to an agent for developments in the community. Thus, the people will become fear to support the government programs for the community. In the end, the LTGs affected areas remain poor and become poorer.

     "The incident is a gross violation of human rights, the LTs have no concern for the safety of the civilians. In fact, they (LTs) almost hit civilians who are working together with the local residents during the clean-up drive in the barangay. The CPP-NPA terrorists are being consistent with their anti-development, anti-people and anti-poor thrusts. They do not want any progress in a community so they can blame government for its inefficiency in delivering needed services for the community. That is why the NPA is considered a terrorist organization" added by Col Baladad.