Military says NPA breaks own truce in typhoon-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines - The military  accused the New People’s Army (NPA) of violating the ceasefire it declared in typhoon-hit areas and vowed to continue its security efforts to prevent the rebels from launching atrocities.

Army reports said soldiers from the 11th battalion were conducting patrols in Barangay Pitogo in La Libertad, Negros Oriental Sunday when they were fired upon by rebels at 5:05 p.m.

This resulted in a 10-minute firefight that left one communist rebel dead.

Maj. Ray Tiongson, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd division, said no soldier was harmed during the brief encounter.

He said the clash occurred despite the truce declared by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in areas affected by typhoon “Yolanda.”

“This is a clear violation of the CPP-NPA on their ceasefire declaration. It only shows that their leadership has no control over their units.  The Army here in Negros remains vigilant in securing and protecting the people from these lawless armed elements,” said Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, chief of the Army’s 302nd Brigade..

In a previous statement, the CPP said the ceasefire took effect last Nov. 8 and would be implemented until Dec. 24. The group said the ceasefire covered the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Command, Panay Regional Command, Central Visayas Regional Command and Negros Island Command.

CPP said the declaration would allow NPA units in devastated areas to conduct rehabilitation efforts.

An M1 Carbine rifle with one magazine loaded with live rounds of ammunition, several empty shells of ammunition for M-16 rifle and a backpack with subversive documents were recovered from the encounter site. 

Tiongson said last Sunday’s clash marked the second time the rebels violated their ceasefire declaration.

He said the first violation occurred Nov. 16 when the insurgents fired upon government troops in Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental. One soldier was hurt during the incident.

“We will continue our presence in the communities in order to protect the civilians, the government, public and private infrastructure which the NPA has been planning to destroy,” said Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, chief of the Army’s 3rd division.