Another relief team attacked

ON THE eve of its self-declared ceasefire, the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked another relief mission meant for Typhoon “Nona” victims in Northern Samar, killing one soldier and injuring three others.

Initial information reaching Camp Aguinaldo showed the ambush happened at around 5 a.m. on Tuesday in Barangay Bukid, Las Navas town in Northern Samar.

Military reports said six soldiers of the 20th Infantry Battalion were aboard a vehicle to deliver equipment from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to typhoon victims there. The equipment included hammers and steel tubes.

The rebel ambush led to a 15-minute firefight. Killed was PFC. Darlyn Baldo, while Cpl. Michael Forten, Cpl. Romar Clavo and PFC. Jessie Rojas were wounded.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) condemned the attack on the military’s efforts to aid typhoon victims in remote Las Navas town.

Second attack

The ambush was the second attack against the military’s ongoing relief operations for victims of Nona. Last week, the rebels attacked relief vehicles in Pinabacdao, Samar, leaving two soldiers wounded.

NDDRMC executive director Alexander Pama branded the communist rebels as “without a conscience in carrying out atrocities against humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions.”

“We are sad, and beyond anger. We pity the typhoon victims and the soldiers who only wished to help through relief operations, and yet they were attacked,” said Pama.

The AFP however assured that the attacks would not affect the ceasefire from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3, separately declared by the government and the NPA earlier this month.

“We still will observe the suspension of military operations. We are serious and sincere in pursuing peace through peace talks,” said Col. Restituto Padilla in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.

Beef up force

Padilla said government troops would beef up force protection and road security measures to ensure the safety of soldiers on relief missions.

The NDRRMC also said it would not be cowed by the attacks and that the agency would continue its relief efforts for typhoon victims.

Pama called on residents to cooperate with government agencies in making sure aid reaches typhoon victims who badly need help to recover and rebuild.