39th IB-AFP intelligence asset punished in Davao del Sur*
Ricardo Fermiza
Magtanggol Roque Command,
Front 51 Operations Command,
NPA-Southern Mindanao
March 7, 2011
Red partisans of the Magtanggol Roque Command-New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao implemented the standing order against 39th IB-AFP intelligence asset Roldan Quitua, 24, last February 25 in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Contrary to the 10th ID-AFP’s vehement claims, Quitua was not a civilian but was a long standing combat intelligence asset of the 39th IB-AFP. His case officer is 39th IB-AFP’s Lt. Villegas. Quitua’s father is a Cafgu member in Sinuron, Santa Cruz.
In the last quarter of 2008, Quitua was tasked by his military handler to enlist in the NPA to gather combat intelligence. He had a short stint inside the NPA and as his duplicity was about to be uncovered he immediately abandoned his post. Quitua fed intelligence information to the 39th IB-AFP on the location and troop disposition of the NPA unit that almost resulted into two defensive actions for the NPA. Both AFP raids were fortunately thwarted by the guerilla unit after timely information relayed by the revolutionary masses. In 39th IB-AFP military operations in Davao del Sur, Quitua was involved in harassing and intimidating the masses in Santa Cruz particularly residents who are vocal against the 39th IB-AFP’s rights violations and the AFP-enforced Barangay Defense System.
The NPA lambasted the 10th ID-AFP’s fabrication that Quitua was tortured by Red fighters while the standing order was enforced and the military’s misrepresentation of Quitua as a civilian. Torture and barbarity are the 39th IB-AFP’s trademark and not the people’s army.
By rendering service to the 39th IB-AFP as an intelligence asset, Quitua ceased to be a civilian. As an active agent of the 39th IB-AFP combat intelligence unit, Quitua forfeited his protected status as a civilian and rendered himself a legitimate target of the NPA. The NDFP Declaration of undertaking to apply the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and protocol 1 of 1977 had clearly stated that personnel of the AFP, PNP, paramilitary units and their intelligence elements are considered legitimate military targets.
The case of intelligence asset Quitua should serve as a strong warning to counter-revolutionaries and fascist troops who continue to unleash their brutality against the people.
