DAVAO CITY – The Army’s Eastern Mindanao Command said the New People’s Army has violated its own holiday ceasefire declaration after harassing military troops in three separate incidents on Wednesday.
The NPAs harassed a military detachment inother detachment in barangay White Kulaman, Bukidnon at 6:15; and attacked Army troops on community security patrol in Brgy. Sumimao, Paquibato District, Davao City all on December 23, 2015.
Captain Alberto Caber, chief of Public Information Office said the first incident happened at in Barangay Bitaugan, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur at 9:20 in the morning.
The second incident took place at 6:15 pm when the detachment of the 2nd Special Forces (SF) Company, 1st SF Battalion stationed in Barangay White Kulaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon was harassed by an undetermined number of NPAs.
He said the other incident happened at “9:30 pm in Barangay Sumimao, Paquibato District, Davao City when soldiers conducting community security patrol 200 meters away from their detachment were fired upon by the NPAs.”
“There was no reported casualty on the government side,” said Caber.
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on December 15 declared a ceasefire beginning 12:01 am of December 23, 2015 up to 11:59 pm of January 3, 2016.
“This ceasefire order is being issued in solidarity with the Filipino people’s traditional celebrations of Christmas and New Year holidays. This will also enable the revolutionary forces to carry out mass assemblies and public demonstrations to mark the 47th anniversary of the CPP and celebrate revolutionary victories of the past year,” the CPP said.
The government has also declared a Suspension of Military Operations (Somo) which commenced at 12:01 a.m. of December 23 until 11:59 p.m. of January 3, 2016.
Caber said in observance of the SOMO, the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command suspended the conduct of deliberate offensive military operations.
“However it shall continue to protect, defend and secure the peaceloving communities, government and private infrastructure and troops against atrocities by the NPAs and other lawless elements. It shall also continue to support the civil authorities’ peace, security and development programs and humanitarian assistance efforts,” he said.
The NPA has yet to issue its statement to own up the attacks. (davaotoday.com)
