Army hits NPA for attacking troops in Northern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 9, 2022): Army hits NPA for attacking troops in Northern Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

The map of Catubig, Northern Samar. (Google image)

The Philippine Army has condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) anew for attacking soldiers holding dialogues with residents of a remote village in Catubig, Northern Samar last weekend.

Lt. Col Joemar Buban, commander of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, denounced on Wednesday the communist terrorist group for deliberately attacking government troops despite the presence of civilians.

“The attack shows a serious disregard for one’s life and is a clear violation of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law,” Buban said in a brief statement.

It was on the night of March 5 when a band of armed rebels fired on soldiers conversing with residents in CM Recto village in Catubig town.

Troops and civilians rushed to rescue Sgt. Gleen Amado, who was hit in the neck. The officer is now in stable condition while undergoing treatment at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital.

The military believes the group of alias "Estela" launched the attack.

The band of rebels is frequently sighted in the area extorting food and money from locals.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front (NDF) as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1169342