LEGAZPI CITY – A band of alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked government forces in Goa town in Camarines Sur on New Year’s Day amid the still prevailing self-imposed Yuletide ceasefire by the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Army Major Angelo Guzman, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said the attack happened two days before the end of the 12-day unilateral ceasefire separately declared by the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
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Guzman, quoting Army Colonel Claudio Yucot, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade based in Camarines Sur, said the rebel attack was unfortunate and condemnable but decided against a pursuit operation in strict observance of the ceasefire declared by President Benigno Aquino III.
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Guzman, quoting another report from Army Lieutenant Colonel Zacarias Baralla, commander of the 83rd Infantry Battalion, said the troops composed of 8 soldiers and 6 Citizens Auxiliary Forces Geographical Units (Cafgus) members were in the village for a “holiday visit” at around 4 p.m. when fired upon by an estimated 10 fully armed communist guerrillas.
The rebel attack led to a 20-minute running gun battle between the soldiers and the insurgents, said Guzman.
Baralla reported there were no casualties among the government troops but bloodstains were seen on the escape route of the rebels.
Soldiers recovered from the scene of encounter an M14 and AK50 rifles, two grenades and assorted magazines and ammunitions.
The attack seemed deliberate as landmines were discovered lying along the soldiers’ path going to the village center, about two kilometers from their patrol base, the report said.
On Dec. 14, the CPP ordered the NPA, its military wing, to cease from carrying out offensive military operations against any members of the government from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3, 2016.
The government reciprocated the peace gesture and also declared its own 12-day unilateral ceasefire during the same period in observance of the Yuletide season.