NPA rebels break holiday truce, terrorize Bukidnon village anew

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 29): NPA rebels break holiday truce, terrorize Bukidnon village anew

The Philippine Army blamed the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA) of breaking their own Christmas truce after an alleged attack in White Kulaman village, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

In a spot report from the army’s 2nd Special Forces Company, undetermined number of NPA rebels indiscriminately fired their rifle grenades at houses in central White Kulaman at about 7:00 p.m, December 23, 2015.

Immediately, the government troops fired back and thwarted the terror attack. Upon sensing the tough presence of army troops, the NPAs fled.

No one was hurt in the incident, reports said.

Col. Jesse A. Alvarez, Commander of the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade condemned the attack especially that it happened within the timetable set by NPAs in their ‘self-declared’ ceasefire as they celebrate their 47th founding anniversary this Yuletide.

“Though we are observing the Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO), our troops who are securing far-flung communities are still on heightened alert in anticipation of NPA attacks and atrocities. We call on the CPP-NPA to be sincere in their ceasefire pronouncement and spare the lives of innocent civilians especially this Yuletide season,” he said.

It can be recalled that barangay officials and residents of Barangay White Kulaman denounced the CPP-NPA of their threats and atrocities.  Barangay officials requested the Army’s presence to protect them from NPA rebels’ harassments and atrocities.

Last December 15, the Communist Party of the Philippines declared a ceasefire from 12:01 a.m of December 23 to 11:59 p.m of January 3, 2016, which says, the truce is “in solidarity with the Filipino people’s traditional celebrations of Christmas and New Year holidays.”

Likewise, on 18 December, Malacanang matched the 12-day ceasefire of CPP-NPA after President Aquino III approved the Defense Department’s recommendation for a suspension of military operations from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3.

Presidential Communications Operations Office head Secretary Herminio Sonny Coloma Jr. said the ceasefire will start 12:01 a.m. of December 23, and will end at 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 3, 2016.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1501451439720/npa-rebels-break-holiday-truce-terrorize-bukidnon-village-anew