New People’s Army. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
LUCENA CITY, Philippines—The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has directed all its revolutionary forces, including the New People’s Army (NPA), to help those who will be affected by Typhoon “Ruby.”
But to the military, the CPP’s order was only a cover for the NPA rebels’ continued attacks against state security forces, even those on humanitarian missions in calamity areas.
In a statement issued on Friday, the CPP said all NPA units in areas in the path of Ruby, specifically those in the Eastern Visayas, Panay, Central Visayas, Negros, Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions, had been placed on alert to respond immediately to possible emergencies as a result of the typhoon.
The CPP ordered the rebel forces to assist the people in preparing evacuation areas, securing their homes, properties, work animals, fields and sources of livelihood.
“Special attention should be given to the elderly, children, pregnant women, single parents and others requiring special assistance,” the CPP said.
However, despite the order to help, the communist guerrillas continued their offensives against military forces.
Maj. Angelo Guzman, Solcom public information officer, said a band of suspected NPA rebels attacked an Army patrol base in Barangay Mapulot in Tagkawayan, Quezon, early Saturday morning.
Citing a report from Col. Rhoderick Parayno, head of the Army’s 201st Infantry Brigade operating in Quezon, Guzman said communist guerrillas fired around 20 rounds of ammunition and four rifle grenades but did not hit the patrol base.
No one was hurt during the attack, the report said.
The military said the Army patrol base was on alert for humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in the village due to the approaching typhoon.
On Friday, a soldier on his way to the town proper of Irosin, Sorsogon, was wounded by a land mine believed planted on the road by NPA rebels.
Guzman said the victim, Pfc. Jerlou Fiesta of the 31st Infantry Battalion, was headed for the municipal hall to help man the Sorsogon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s operation center that was activated in anticipation of the typhoon in Bicol.
The soldier was wounded on both cheeks and left shoulder.
Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Southern Luzon Command, scoffed at the rebel’s declaration saying “it only shows its true image.”
“During these moments when we are facing another natural calamity threat, it is very inhumane for the NPA to launch offensives versus soldiers on humanitarian missions,” Visaya said.
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