Reds broke own truce, AFP claims

THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines has slammed the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) for violating its own declaration of a ceasefire after suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the CPP’s armed wing, attacked soldiers in Mindanao on the first day of the truce’s implementation.

NPA rebels allegedly under the command of a certain Brando “Rodel” Juagpao fired at members of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion of the Philippine Army stationed at the outskirts of Barangay Bitaugan, San Miguel, at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, according to reports reaching the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on weekend.

The troops reportedly pursued the rebels, leading to another firefight near the boundary of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur a few hours. No soldiers were reported harmed in either incident at press time.

“This incident is an undeniable proof that the NPAs, despite the declaration of ceasefire by the CPP, will continuously and deliberately conduct harassment and atrocities against our troops who are only doing their job to protect the people and secure a peaceful environment for them to live in. It is also proof that the NPA is insincere with its own wish for peace for the Filipino this Yuletide season,” the AFP said in a statement coursed through its Public Affairs Office under Col. Noel Detoyato.

In an e-mail statement, the Communist Party of the Philippines Central Committee said all NPA units and their militias nationwide will observe a ceasefire from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 in observance of the traditional celebrations of Christmas and New Year in the country.

President Aquino also declared a suspension of military operations (Somo) against the NPA rebels on the same period.

The CPP declaration was

authenticated by Luis

Jalandoni, chair of the National Democratic Front peace negotiating panel, which is based in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

The AFP, for its part, assured the public that they will abide by the Somo. “The government remains committed to its unilateral declaration of the Somo,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla.

Padilla said the AFP is “saddened to hear this news,” as the attack poses a threat to the peace and quiet of the holiday season.

Malacañang Thursday also strongly condemned the reported attack by rebels of the NPA on soldiers delivering relief goods to Northern Samar, one of the areas ravaged by Typhoon “Nona.”

“The dastardly act on the part of the local NPAs clearly indicates their disregard for the people’s welfare,” said Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma.

He said the NPA attack has impeded its main efforts in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the storm-hit areas in the Eastern Visayas province, which has been placed under a state of calamity.

But Coloma told reporters the government is “fully determined to carry out and complete needed relief and rehabilitation work in calamity areas.”

Two soldiers were reportedly wounded in an NPA ambush last week in Barangay Pahug, Pinabacdao town in Samar.

They were among 32 troops, along with two personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, who were on their way to Tacloban City in neighboring Leyte province to pick up another batch of relief goods when they were fired upon by at least 10 NPA rebels.

Wounded were Private First Class Jay Cercado and PFC Roel Daluata, who were both hit in the legs.

The soldiers belong to the 546th Engineer Construction Battalion, based in Borongan, Eastern Samar.