Rebel killed in first AFP-NPA clash after lifting of gov't ceasefire

From GMA News (Aug 1): Rebel killed in first AFP-NPA clash after lifting of gov't ceasefire

A New People's Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a clash with government troops in Surigao del Norte on Monday, two days after President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels.

The fatality was allegedly part of a group conducting extortion activities in Barangays San Isidro and Binucayan in Malimono town, according to the Army's 30th Infantry Battalion.

The firefight, which lasted for only five minutes, was the first encounter after Duterte lifted the ceasefire on Saturday night, after the deadline for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to explain the ambush carried out by the NPA on government troops in Davao del Norte last week expired.

The military did not identify the victim, but the body will be turned over to a civilian authority before it is returned to its family for a decent burial. The firefight occurred past 8 a.m. as government forces were verifying the complaint of a concerned citizen of extortion activities by the rebels in Barangays San Isidro and Binucayan.

Recovered at the scene were the body of the slain rebel, one AK-47 rifle, gallons of rice, two improvised explosive devices, magazines and ammunition.

"During our dialogue with residents, we have learned that several sari-sari stores have closed due to extortion activity of NPAs," 1st Lt Ken Enciso, commander of the 30IB Bravo Company, said.

Meanwhile, 30IB Commander Lt. Col. Rico Amaro said the military as well as the police will not tolerate any extortion activities and called on members of the NPA to live peaceful lives.

"We will continue to reach out with our NPA brothers and sisters and convince them to live a peaceful life. We, however, will not tolerate criminal acts; together with the PNP and the vigilance of our community, through prompt reporting of concerned citizens, we can prevent future extortion activities of this group," Amaro said.

Duterte declared the unilateral ceasefire last Monday during his first State of the Nation Address. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the fighting was the first clash between military and NPA forces since the ceasefire was lifted by the President.

"Our troops, our units were already informed of the directive [to lift the ceasefire] and were directed to launch normal constitutionally-mandated operations," Padilla said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Padilla belied allegations by communists that government troops did not comply with the ceasefire directive, leading to the skirmish in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, last Wednesday. A militiaman was killed in the clash. "We sincerely enforced it... We immediately issued orders so that our troops will be informed of it since the instruction of the President who called for an immediate ceasefire," Padilla said. 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/575890/news/regions/rebel-killed-in-first-afp-npa-clash-after-lifting-of-gov-t-ceasefire