AFP accuses NPA of violating self-imposed 29-day ceasefire

From InterAksyon (Dec 14): AFP accuses NPA of violating self-imposed 29-day ceasefire

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) accused the New People's Army (NPA) of violating its self-imposed 29-day ceasefire as the rebels launched attacks against soldiers conducting humanitarian aid in Davao del Norte last week. Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division, said members of the 66th Infantry Battalion were attacked by the rebels last week in Sitio Banoog, Barangay Sto. Nino, Talaingod town. The soldiers, who were conducting humanitarian missions in typhoon-hit Davao Oriental, were fired upon at their outreach station in the said village, Paniza said. "This is contrary to their promise of a 29-day ceasefire," Paniza said. The self-imposed ceasefire by the NPA runs from December 5 to January 3, 2013.

NPA rebels were also blamed for the attempted killing of Private First Class Lito Mansaluon and the kidnapping of his two daughters in the remote sitio of Danao, Barangay Gupitan in San Isidro town last Sunday. Paniza said Mansaluon lost his home to the typhoon and was headed to his military detachment with his daughters when they were waylaid by the rebels.

The military condemned the recent NPA attacks, which it said had hampered humanitarian aid to typhoon victims and also put innocent civilians at risk. “These NPA-initiated atrocities are crimes against our people. Pronouncements of ceasefire demands commitment hence the NPA must be sincere and should translate that into actions. It is not for publicity or lip service,” AFP Chief of Staff, General Jessie Dellosa said. Despite the attacks, the military vowed to continue providing relief assistance to typhoon victims in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50444/afp-accuses-npa-of-violating-self-imposed-29-day-ceasefire