AFP to NPA: Show sincerity in peace talks

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) condemned the series of attacks and abduction allegedly by the New People’s Army (NPA) in parts of Eastern Mindanao despite the peace talks.

“We call on the [Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army] to show sincerity in their peace talks with the government by directing their armed members to immediately desist from committing atrocities,” Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Guerrero said in a statement on Tuesday.

The military alleged that the NPA was behind the following incidents in the past 48 hours:

• Abduction of Private First Class Erwin Salan of 30th Infantry Battalion in Alegria, Surigao del Norte on Jan. 29
• Wounding of three soldiers of the 75th and 30th Infantry Battalion. Members of Guerrilla Front 16 led by Pablo Logatiman fired at the government troops in Mat-i, Surigao City past midnight of Jan. 30
• Harassment of militiamen under 72nd and 73rd Infantry Battalion securing a road rehabilitation project in Sitio Banlibato, Brgy, Pag-asa, Alabel in Sarangani past 2 p.m. on Jan. 30
• Burning of a passenger van plying the Gensan-Maitum route in Purok Mirasol in Brgy, Lebe, Kiamba, Sarangani past 6 p.m. on Jan. 30
• Around 10 armed men believed to be NPA rebels held security guards at gunpoint in Musahamat Plantation and took away a shot gun, caliber 38 pistol, keys of a backhoe and dump truck and mobile phones
• Three more attacks allegedly by the NPA took place in San Isidro, Mahayahay, and Hinambangan all of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte against the soldiers that are deployed in these areas past midnight of Jan. 30

Guerrero said the soldiers attacked by the NPA were part of non-combat missions.

“Let us condemn these atrocities which target our soldiers who are performing non-combat missions. These tactical offensives by the NPAs are inconsistent with their ceasefire declaration and could imperil ongoing peace negotiation. These acts of violence also bring misery and suffering to the affected communities,” he said.

READ: NPA ‘sabotaging’ peace talks, says defense chief

While the peace talks were ongoing in Rome last week, the military and the communists also figured in a firefight in Makilala, North Cotabato, which left one rebel dead. It was the first encounter that broke the unilateral ceasefire declared by both parties last August.

The peace panels were not able to come up with a bilateral ceasefire declaration in the recent negotiations. They aim to complete an agreement in February. CDG/rga