By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
CAMP Evangelista yesterday lashed out at the New People’s Army (NPA), accusing it of launching offensives against government troops in Bukidnon and in Caraga region in violation the Communist Party’s ceasefire declaration.
Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, criticized the NPA. “The military has faithfully abided by its ceasefire declaration and continues to fully support the peace process. On the other hand, these tactical offensives by the NPA are inconsistent with their ceasefire declaration.”
Madrigal cautioned that the NPA offensives could imperil the ongoing peace negotiations.
“These acts of violence also add further misery and suffering of the affected communities,” he said.
Rebels attacked soldiers helping local government officials in distributing relief aid to flood victims in Concepcion in Valencia City, Bukidnon, at around 9 am yesterday, said Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, Camp Evangelista spokesman.
The military said suspected communist rebels also abducted a soldier in Alegria town in Surigao del Norte on Sunday afternoon.
Martinez said the Valencia attack was staged near an evacuation center. Rebels, he said, lobbed two grenades at soldiers but none exploded.
In Surigao del Norte, Lt. Col. Rico Amaro, commander of the 30th Infantry Battalion, said Pfc. Erwin Salan was leading a group in a campaign with the youth in a local tourist destination in Barangay Budlingin, Alegria at around 3 pm Sunday when suspected rebels flagged them down.
“Salan was forcibly tied and taken by NPA rebels,” Amaro said.
“Ka Oto,” spokesperson of Guerrilla Force 16 of the NPA operating in Surigao del Norte, said he cannot confirm the abduction as yet
As of Sunday evening, the NDF and NPA had yet to issue a statement confirming if, indeed, they had taken Salan.
On July 10, 2014, four police officers were captured by the NPA during a raid in a town police station. They were freed after 19 days in captivity.
On Nov. 16, 2014, two police officers in Alegria town were seized by NPA rebels.
After three months in captivity, PO3 Democrito Polvorosa and PO1 Marichel Contemplo along with PO1 Jorie Amper from Malimono town were handed over to President Duterte, then Davao’s mayor, in February 2015 in the hinterlands of Gigaquit town in Surigao del Norte.
The government and the NDF concluded its third round of the formal peace talks on Jan. 25 in Rome.
Both panels signed ground rules to speed up discussion on social and economic reforms.
The Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-economic Reforms or Caser is seen to address poverty and give solution to the ongoing armed conflict in the country.
The fourth round of formal talks would be held in April in Oslo, Norway. But the panels’ ceasefire committees would meet in The Netherlands next month to determine if they can forge a bilateral ceasefire. (with reports from roel catoto of mindanews)
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