Rebels attack gov’t trucks used for post-'Nona' response in Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 18 (PNA) –- Suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebel group ambushed on Friday morning government trucks being used to transport relief goods for victims of typhoon "Nona" in Samar provinces.

Initial reports said the ambush took place around 7:30 a.m. between Madalunot and Pahug villages in Pinabacdao town which is about 49 kilometers from this city. At least two soldiers were wounded from the attack.

Trucks were carrying 32 soldiers from 546 Engineering Battalion and 81st Division Reconnaisance Company based in this city. The troops were heading to Tacloban after delivering relief goods in eastern Samar on Thursday.

Capt. Isagani Viernes, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division said the three trucks are scheduled to pick up more relief goods in Tacloban on Friday.

The Philippine Army is still gathering more details on the incident.

The military has already sent a reinforcement team from the 87th Infantry Battalion based in Calbiga, Samar to the ambush site.

“The NPAs are continuously and deliberately conduct atrocities like ambuscades against our troops who are only doing their job to assist in Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response (HADR) Operations, secure peace and share the Christmas spirit,” Viernes said.

The official, however, assured that the attack will not hamper the ongoing HADR operations to help typhoon "Nona" victims in Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar provinces. (PNA)
JMC/Sarwell Q. Meniano and Roel T. Amazona