Soldier killed as NPA breaks truce

From Malaya (Dec 18): Soldier killed as NPA breaks truce

A SOLDIER was killed yesterday in an attack staged by New People’s Army rebels in Miagao town, Iloilo. The attack came on the second day of the 18-day, government-declared yuletide truce with the communist group. Maj. Enrico Ileto, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, withheld the identity of the slain enlisted personnel from the Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion pending notification of his family. Ileto said the soldiers were on “defensive security patrol” in Sitio Anoy, Cabalaunan village when fired upon by the rebels at around 10:40 a.m. “They were not on offensive operation. They were just conducting defense security patrol to ensure security of the community,” said Ileto of the soldiers who he said were strictly observing the government’s suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO).

Col. Arnold Quiapo, commander of the Army’s 301st Brigade, said the soldiers were ordered to conduct the patrol after they received reports that the NPA was planning to “harass” a detachment of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit “whose primary function is to protect nearby communities.”

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, 3rd ID commander, said the soldiers were conducting defense security patrol also to ensure the security of the community during the government truce period. “While we are suspending all deliberate offensive military operations, we will continue our presence in communities to protect civilian communities, government and civilian infrastructure in order to maintain peace and security in the area,” said Mabanta. There was no report of any untoward on the first day of the SOMO implementation Sunday.The communist group has yet to announce a truce.

http://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/20252-soldier-killed-as-npa-breaks-truce