AFP rejects CPP claims of casualties in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army has dismissed as “propaganda” the Communist Party of the Philippines’ claims that the military suffered casualties from their two-week offensives in Mindanao.

“We only have one casualty last Dec. 13 in the boundaries of Bukidnon and Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. It is okay if they say that they have more casualties. It is propaganda anyway. We are more on truth vs. propaganda,” Army’s 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Ronnie Villanueva told reporters on Monday.

This was in response to the CPP’s announcement that the AFP incurred at least 14 casualties from their two weeks of all-out military offensives in Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur ahead of the holiday season.

“After declaring it will not observe a ceasefire this holiday season, the AFP ordered its forces to go on an all-out offensive and massive bombardment in the vain hope of stopping the people to gather in the NPA guerrilla zones to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP),” the CPP said.

The CPP said the reports of casualties came from local residents, last Dec. 7 in Brgy. Jagpa, where 12 soldiers were allegedly picked up by ambulances.

It also accused the military of “daily artillery shelling and aerial bombardment” of their attack helicopters, which supposedly affected the livelihood of the residents.

The military earlier said it will not recommend a suspension of military operations during the holiday season despite the CPP’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire from 12:01 a.m. of December 24 to 11:59 p.m. of December 26, and from 12:01 a.m. of December 31 to 11:59 p.m. of January 1, 2019.

The CPP will celebrate its 50th founding anniversary on Dec. 26. /je