Army hits NPA’s violation of holiday ceasefire

The Philippine Army on Thursday condemned the alleged violation of the New People’s Army while ceasefire was in effect during the holiday season.

One militiaman was hurt after a bomb explosion in Compostela Valley last Jan. 2. The communist rebels were believed to behind the explosion.

“We strongly condemn the atrocities done by terrorists NPA while the ceasefire is in effect. The incident shows that the NPA is not sincere in ending the insurgency problem,” said Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID).

The improvised explosive device went off on Saturday evening of Jan. 2 past 10 p.m., 15 meters of Colapogon Detachment in Brgy. Maparat, a report from the 10ID said.

The wounded militiamn was identified as CAA Jerick Ceel who sustained a wound on his forehead.

The government declared a unilateral ceasefire from 6:00 p.m. on December 23, 2017, until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 26, 2017, and 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2017 until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2018. The rebels declared its own ceasefire at 6 p.m. Dec. 23 to 6 p.m. Dec. 26; 6 p.m. Dec. 30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 2.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared the unilateral ceasefire to allow Filipinos to celebrate a “stress-free” holiday season, just a few days after he scrapped the peace talks with communist rebels. /je