AFP decries attack on military convoy distributing relief goods

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday condemned the shooting of an aid convoy that delivered relief goods to earthquake victims in Surigao del Norte.

“This atrocity by this armed lawless group has added to the suffering and misery of the people who are trying to recover from the devastation brought by the earthquake,” the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command said in a statement.

The New People’s Army (NPA) is believed to be behind the incident.

Unidentified armed men fired at a military vehicle, a part of a convoy that distributed relief goods, that was heading back to Surigao City on Tuesday night. The ABS-CBN Foundation joined the distribution of relief supplies.

READ: Military convoy, ABS-CBN team shot at by  suspected NPAs

There were no casualties from the incident.

The NPA Guerrilla Front 16 in Northern Mindanao reportedly denied the attack of the convoy of the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion.

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake jolted Surigao on Friday, prompting the NPA in Northern Mindanao to declare a localized ceasefire in Surigao del Norte and parts of Agusan del Norte from Saturday until 11:55 p.m. of Feb. 20 in order to give way to relief operations.

READ: NPA band declares limited ceasefire in quake-hit areas

The Eastern Mindanao Command said that despite the attack, it will continue its efforts in helping out “to restore normalcy in the earthquake-affected areas.” RAM