Reds torch construction equipment in Camarines

MANILA, Philippines - Communist insurgents took advantage of the government-declared Christmas and New Year’s unilateral truce by attacking and burning down the heavy equipment of a private construction firm in Paracale, Camarines Norte on Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar, commander of the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion, said the rebels attacked the Varin Construction Co. in Barangay Gumaos and destroyed two payloaders, a backhoe and a road roller.

The rebels attacked after the construction firm reportedly refused to pay the extortion demand.

“They took advantage of the SOMO (Suspension Of Military Operations) by attacking unarmed civilians and a government project,” Aguilar said.

Aguilar ordered the deployment of soldiers to secure the area.

All military field units are under strict orders to observe the government’s month-long Yuletide truce that took effect midnight of Dec. 18 until midnight of Jan. 19 next year.

But the rebels declared a staggered ceasefire for the holidays and during the visit of Pope Francis next month.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) said the holiday truce would take effect from Dec. 24 to 26.

Communist rebels, however, accused the military of violating its own holiday truce and occupying several areas in Southern Mindanao.

Simon Santiago, political director of the NPA Merardo Arce Command, said soldiers continue to operate in Davao City, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, North Cotabato and Agusan del Sur.

“Reports from the field reveal the duplicity of the US-Aquino regime’s one-month suspension of military operations and suspension of police operations,” Santiago said in a statement released Tuesday.

“The continued troops deployment, build-up and hamletting in these areas belie the claim made by the US-Aquino regime in declaring a ceasefire during the traditional Christmas season,” he added.

Santiago’s statement is the first allegation of ceasefire violation this year.

The military denied violating its ceasefire and claimed the soldiers deployed to communities are involved in “peace and development” activities.

Maj. Ezra Balagtey, spokesman for the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command, said civic action programs are not prohibited under their truce guidelines.

“Prior to the declaration of SOMO, our COPD (community organizing for peace and development) are already in different barangays conducting bayanihan activities,” Balagtey said.

“While we adhere to the SOMO, our duty to protect the different communities from insurgent atrocities remains,” he added.

Santiago warned that soldiers operating in civilian areas are on offensive combat operations and would be treated as “legitimate targets.”

“Their blatant occupation of civilian areas while supposedly in suspended military operations is highly provocative and increases the risk of armed engagements with the Red fighters amid civilian-populated areas,” he added. –  Alexis Romero