Army turns table on NPA, says Reds attacked troops in Mindanao

The Philippine Army on Tuesday turned the tables on the New People's Army and accused the rebel group of violating its own ceasefire when it attacked government troops disaster response operations and community support activities in northern Mindanao on Monday.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesman of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, said alleged communist rebels launched separate "deliberate and coordinated attacks and harassments" against the troops in Bukidnon, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Norte on January 30.

Martinez said in Barangay Concepcion, Valencia City, Bukidnon, alleged NPA elements lobbed two hand grenades to troops undertaking relief operations in the area but the greandes did not explode.

"This could have caused undue casualties and further misery to the civilian flood victims thereat," said Martinez. Parts of southern Philippines was hit by floods due to rains in the past few weeks.

Likewise, separate attacks were also made on soldiers undertaking community support activities at a village in Surigao City and three villages in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte early Monday morning.

Just about after midnight, around 10 alleged NPAs attacked the troops of the 30th Infantry Battalion who were supporting the local government in its "Bayanihan" efforts, the Army spokesman said.

He said the troops managed to push the rebels to withdraw out of the community while three soldiers were slightly wounded.

A third attack, meanwhile, happened at around 1:30 a.m., against the troops of 29th Infantry Battalion who were deployed in Barangay San Isidro and in Barangay Mahayahay, all in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte. 

An hour later, at around 2:30 AM, a fourth attack was launched in Barangay Hinimbangan, another community in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, Martinez said.

There were no casualties on the part of the government troop in these areas, he added. 

There were reported damages on civilian properties due to the indiscriminate strafing and the explosion of a hand grenade allegedly thrown by a rebel near the civilian houses, Martinez said.

The attacks happened a day after alleged NPA rebels abducted one soldier of 30IB while he was with the civilians doing a civic-action and clean up activity in Barangay Budlingin, Alegria, Surigao del Norte. The soldier is unarmed and in civilian attire when he was taken by the rebels, the Army said.

The Army statement came a week after the NPA accused the military of violating a unilateral ceasefire for attacking an NPA unit in Makilala, North Cotabato.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front declared its unilateral ceasefire in August 2016 to reciprocate the declaration of the government to pave way for the peace talks.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr, commander of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, said 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's are inconsistent with their ceasefire declaration and could imperil the ongoing peace negotiations. These acts of violence also add further misery and suffering to the affected communities," he said. — MDM, GMA News