‘NPA violated ceasefire’

terrorists in saying one thing while doing the opposite,” he added.

Arevalo noted that the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), had - tions before, “since they have, for the longest time, lost their ideological mooring and resorted to actions

The NPA declared last week an - lowing President Duterte’s call for a truce for the Christmas holiday.

“This unilateral declaration of 6:00 p.m. of December 23 to 6:00 p.m. of December 26; and 6:00 p.m. of December 30 to 6:00 p.m. of January 2, 2018,” NPA spokesman Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos said.

set on the same dates, but until and January 2, 2018.

Truce stays

The military spokesman said troops would stick to the Presi- holiday season, but maintain their active defense position.

“Our units and troops on the ground will remain ready to respond to any violent threat or attack that may be perpetrated by the NPA against our people and vulnerable communities,” Arevalo said.

“We call on our lost brothers in the NPA to reassess their stand and take the peaceful path to peace and return to the folds of the law so that they can be with their families and become productive citizens of the community,” he added.

Christmas attack

Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, com- mander of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the in Barangay Tubaon, Tarragona, Davao Oriental.

About 30 communist fighters attempted to abduct Arbilito Catampao, a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) member, who was assigned at a patrol base under the 10th Infantry Division (ID).

The NPA rebels managed to escape from the scene. Clement said the fully armed communist of “Jekol” and “Ramie,” NPA com

Hours after, in Melale village, - determined number of NPA members under the Guerilla Front 34 “harassed” a Cafgu patrol base under the 72nd Infantry Battalion.

“Approximately, the terrorists were positioned at more or less [patrol base],” he said in a report.

Clement said troops immediately established a defensive position upon sensing that the Cafgu detachment was being “harassed” by NPA rebels. The troopers re

The firefight between govern - ers in Compostela Valley lasted for about two minutes, with the NPA withdrawing toward the northwest direction of the encounter site.

Clement said there were no casualties on the side of the military, but claimed there was an “undetermined number of casualties” on the side of the NPA.

“The harassment did not prosper since 10 ID is on full alert and vigilant for possible CPP-NPA attacks on our people and vulnerable communities,” he said.

In a phone interview, Clement told TheManilaTimes: “We have launched pursuit operations against these NPA rebels and it is still ongoing.”