Wednesday, December 23, 2015

AFP to comply with SOMO despite NPA attacks in Surigao Del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 24): AFP to comply with SOMO despite NPA attacks in Surigao Del Sur

Despite the unprovoked attack on military units in Surigao Del Sur province Wednesday despite the Yuletide truce, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it will still comply with the suspension of military operations (SOMO) declared by President Benigno S. Aquino III.

"On our part, we assure the public that the AFP continues to abide by the SOMO declared by His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III against the NPA rebels which began 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2015 and will end 11:59 p.m. of January 3, 2016," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said.

The New People's Army (NPA) attack took place around 9:30 a.m. just hours from the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) took effect.

"Reports from our units there revealed that NPA bandits, under Brando Juagpao alias 'Rodel,' fired at Army troops stationed at the outskirts of Barangay Bitaugan, San Miguel, Surigao Del Sur. The Army troops belonging to the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, Philippine Army are stationed in the said area to assist the local government of San Miguel municipality in facilitating the delivery of development programs and services in the community," Detoyato said.

Troops managed to repel the attack and forced the NPA to disengage.

In the pursuit operations, another firefight ensued near the boundary of Agusan Del Sur and Surigao del Sur a few hours later, also with a group of NPAs.

"These acts by the NPAs are in gross violation of the CPP’s self-declared unilateral ceasefire which took effect midnight of December 23 and will end midnight of January 3, 2016," he added.

He said the attack is an "undeniable proof" that the NPAs, despite the declaration of ceasefire by the CPP, will "continuously and deliberately" conduct harassment and atrocities against troops.

"It is also proof that the NPA is insincere with their own wish for peace for the Filipino this Yuletide season," Detoyato said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=841064

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