AFP ready to repel attacks of NPAs out to avenge defeat in Sorsogon

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 8): AFP ready to repel attacks of NPAs out to avenge defeat in Sorsogon

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said that it was more than prepared to respond should the New People's Army (NPA) would decide to go ahead with its plan to conduct vengeance attacks against civilian and military targets in Sorsogon.

This is in the wake of the rebels' devastating defeat in in Barangay Upper Calmayon, Juban, Sorsogon last July 4 where eight of their members were killed following an encounter with 9th Infantry Division units.

Arnel Estiller alias ‘Ka Ariston’, Secretary of Larangan 2 of the Komiteng Probinsya (KomProb) in Sorsogon province and known NPA-Bicol Spokesman Greg Banares were among the eight killed during an encounter with the military in Barangay Upper Calmayon, Juban, Sorsogon on July 4.

The rebels stated that they will avenge the deaths of their ranking members.

"We are prepared to secure our citizens and respond to such attacks should they take place," AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

And should the rebels decide to conduct their own tactical offensive, he added that the military was more than willing to respond in kind.

"We are willing to take the initiative (in this matter)," Zagala stressed.

The AFP public affairs office chief also scored the NPAs for perpetuating a cycle of violence when the AFP and other groups are doing its best to bring peace and development in the countryside.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=542011