Saturday, January 2, 2016

Army accuses NPA of breaking holiday truce anew

From GMA News (Jan 2): Army accuses NPA of breaking holiday truce anew

The Philippine Army on Saturday accused the New People's Army (NPA) anew of breaking the holiday truce after an alleged attack on troops in Goa, Camarines Sur on New Year's Day.

The Army said eight members of the 83rd Infantry Battalion and six CAFGU members of the 22nd Infantry Battalion were ambushed by at least 10 suspected NPA rebels at around 4 p.m. Friday.

Col. Claudio Yucot of the 901st Infantry Brigade said that the troops were conducting a "New Year's visit" when they were ambushed by the rebels.

"It's a New Year's visit to assure the barangy folks of our presence, that we are not remiss in our duty to provide them security when the attack happened leaving no choice for our soldiers but to fire back," Yucot said.

He said the soldiers escaped the ambush unhurt, adding that an undetermine number on the NPA's side were hurt based on blood stains seen at the clash site.

Yucot said seized after the 20-minute clash were an M14 rifle, one AK50 rifle, two hand grenades, bandoleers with 18 assorted magazines and ammunitions.

He added that the soldiers also discovered landmines planted along their path to the barangay.

Yucot said he did not order a pursuit operatioin against the rebels because the government's ceasefire is still in effect.

The Communist Party of the Philippines declared a holiday truce from 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 23, 20i5 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 3, 2016.

The government's declared holiday ceasefire also covers the same dates.

The Philippine Army had also accused the NPA of breaking the holiday truce last December 26.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/549767/news/regions/army-accuses-npa-of-breaking-holiday-truce-anew

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.