CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army has strongly condemned the recent arson attack carried out by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Kalipay, Barangay San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon.
On April 5, 2025, suspected NPA members torched an unfinished building and a cassava root crop storage facility (bodega) owned by a certain King Ragandang Zayas. The incident resulted in the destruction of property valued at millions of pesos, severely affecting local livelihoods.
Major General Michele B. Anayron Jr., commander of the 4ID, denounced the attack as a direct assault on civilian welfare. “The attack is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law, as it directly targets and destroys civilian property. It is a blatant act of terrorism designed to spread fear and disrupt peaceful communities,” Anayron said in a statement.
He further emphasized that while the NPA claims to represent the marginalized, their violent actions only inflict further harm on the very communities they purport to support.
“Building, not burning, is the path to true empowerment. The violent act only undermines legitimate grievances. Peaceful and constructive dialogue, not destruction, is the only way to address any kind of issue,” Anayron added.
The 4ID asserted that such “cowardly attacks” have no place in the peace-loving province of Bukidnon and vowed that they will not go unanswered.
In response, troops from the 28th Infantry Battalion, based in Malitbog, along with soldiers from the 23rd Infantry Battalion covering the hinterlands of Brgy. San Luis, Brgy. Kiabo, and Brgy. Siloo in Malitbog, and Brgy. Santiago in Impasug-ong, have launched pursuit operations against the perpetrators.
The military continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as it works to safeguard peace and security in the region.