DAVAO City–A militiaman under the 72nd Infantry Battalion was killed and four others were wounded when suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) ambushed them on Wednesday in Sitio Kamunoan, Barangay Gupitan in Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
On national TV, demanded an explanation from the Communist Party, saying the ambush threatened the prospects of peace negotiations. He threatened to withdraw his decision to talk peace with the communists.
The ambush took place two days after the first State of the Nation Address of President Duterte during which he declared a unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippine-NPA-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
Capt. Rhyan Batchar, chief of the Division Public Affairs of the 10th Infantry Division, said they continued to pull out their troops to abide with the ceasefire declaration despite the alleged attack by the NPA.
He said they advised their personnel who were still in the hinterlands to stay alert as the revolutionary forces were yet to respond to the President’s call call for a ceasefire.
“We continue to pull out our forces in their communities but because of the incident we have coordinated with the Philippine National Police for filing of appropriate charges against the perpetrators,” he said.
Batchar said they coordinated with the police in securing the communities and the ongoing government infrastructure projects.
He said the Cafgu members were heading back to their camp in Sitio Patil, Gupitan when the ambush occurred.
Col. Ricardo Nepomuceno, 1003rd Infantry Brigade commander, in a military press release, deplored the ambush but vowed to suspend military offensives against the NPA.
Maj. Gen. Rafael Valencia, 10th ID commander, also condemned the attack but “we shall continue to abide with the ceasefire, while we continue to secure the communities, vital installations and ongoing government flagship projects against any possible attack of the ALG (armed lawless group).”
In a statement issued after Monday’s Sona, NDF spokesperson Luis Jalandoni welcomed the declaration of ceasefire and vowed to carefully study and make an appropriate response.
He said that the NDFP “shared with President Duterte the determination to work for a just and lasting peace.”
The statement added that Jalandoni was looking forward to the resumption of formal talks in Oslo on Aug. 20 to 27.
The government and NDF peace panels are expected to talk on the mechanics of a bilateral ceasefire and and how to make it effective. (antonio colina IV of mindanews)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
