CPP justifies Samar ambush

MANILA, Philippines - The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) justified yesterday the ambush staged by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Las Navas, Northern Samar last Tuesday, saying it complied with international rules of war.

In a statement, the CPP said there was no treachery involved in the attack, which left 10 soldiers and a nine-year-old boy dead.

“The NPA ambush was carried out according to international rules of war,” it added.

The CPP, however, was silent on the death of Joven Cabe, the nine-year-old boy killed during the ambush.

It claimed that the Army “dispatched their troops to scour the area and conduct offensive military operations based on a report they received about the presence of an NPA unit in the area, knowing fully well that the area is an NPA operational base.”

“There was neither treachery nor a violation of the 19-day ceasefire declared by the CPP and the National Democratic Front (NDF).”

The CPP said NPA members did not violate the rules on war since it employed “command-detonated explosives and not pressure-triggered land mines to neutralize military troops.”

“AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) spokesman Brig. Gen. (Jose) Mabanta’s claim of NPA treachery is hypocritical,” it said.

The AFP has insisted that the ambush mounted by the rebels “borders on treachery.”

“The whole armed forces grieves for the death of the Samar 11 (referring to the 11 fatalities) and sympathizes with the families. We are saddened by the inappropriate action by NPA,” Mabanta said.

The ambush happened two days before the 19-day Christmas ceasefire, said to be the longest in 10 years.

Military reports said a 12-man squad from the 63rd Infantry Battalion was about to return to the patrol base when they were waylaid by an undetermined number of rebels.

Killed were Sgt. Antonio Imperial, Cpl. Rey Villagracia, Cpl. Richard Maximo, Cpl. Nathaniel Colima, Cpl. Alan Rafinian, Pfc. Juanito Millagracia, Pfc. Jarold Vergara, Pfc. Nathaniel Mamerto, Pfc. Jason Acala, and Pfc. Roy Cascaño.

Wounded were Cpl. Ricardo Cabral and Pfc. Heder Pavillon.

Rebels seized 12 high-powered firearms and a radio from the ambushed soldiers.

Gov’t remains committed to truce

Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said the government remained committed to the 19-day Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) despite the recent attack by the NPA, which killed 10 soldiers and a nine-year-old boy and wounded two others.

“The Philippine government would like to emphasize that in spite of this incident, and with full recognition and appreciation of the discipline and commitment of our security forces, we remain steadfast in our commitment to honor the agreed upon suspension of military operations,” Deles said.

“It is most unfortunate since it happened two days before the 19-day ceasefire, which has been positively welcomed by our people. The incident mars an otherwise momentous agreement forged during the informal talks held in Hong Kong a few weeks ago between the Philippine government and the leaders of the CPP-NPA-NDF,” Deles said.