Military in relief mission attacked

From the Manila Standard (Sep 18): Military in relief mission attacked

The military’s relief and humanitarian mission in ‘‘Ompong’’-stricken areas in Nueva Ecija and Nueva Viscaya was disrupted after New People’s Army rebels fired at troops manning a patrol base at the outskirts of Bongabon town in Nueva Ecija the other day.

Maj. Ericon Bulosan, head of the Public Information Office of the Army’s Northern Luzon Command said at least 10 NPAs attacked the patrol base of the 70th Infantry Battalion of the 7th Infantry division in Brgy Labi Tuesday morning.

He said the rebel group from the Kilusang Sierra Madre positioned 500 meters away from the patrol base fired at on-duty personnel forcing an ensued fighting. The troops who were on their way to villages affected by Typhoon Ompong was forced to reinforce, derailing the ongoing humanitarian mission.

“This eventuality shows the real intent of these terrorist groups that despite of the willingness of troopers to provide help and assistance to its people who were heavily-affected by typhoon Ompong, they picked this crucial time to attack and harass our forces who are currently on humanitarian and disaster relief mode,” Bulosan pointed out.

Instead of being there with the people and lending a helping hand to the typhoon victims, they disrupt the composure of the helping troops as well as the community which serves as a setback for the servicemen in doing their HADR mission” he added.

The troops suffered no casualty during the attack.

http://manilastandard.net/news/national/275863/military-in-relief-mission-attacked.html