DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A junior officer of the 67th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army was killed on Wednesday afternoon in a clash with suspected members of the New People’s Army in Manay, Davao Oriental.
The Army said an “armed lawless group” attacked a joint police and Army team in Sitio Paliwason, Barangay Lambog.
“One junior officer whose identity is being withheld was killed during the incident while the troops recovered an M16 armalite rifle from the ALG,” the Army said in a statement Wednesday.
It said the government troops were responding to reports of local officials from Barangays Rizal and Lambog of the presence of an armed group who “threatened and intimidated the residents forcing several residents to evacuate.”
The incident came following the announcement of the Communist Party of the Philippines Central Committee and the National Operations Command of the NPA that it terminates its unilateral ceasefire declaration effective February 10.The CPP and NPA said the ceasefire has become a “license” for the Army to militarize communities. It also said the government failed to keep its promise to release the political prisoners in compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
The CPP and NPA said they are on active defense mode to protect their forces and the communities. The Army also said they are on defense status.(davaotoday.com)
