Military in Samar on alert for CPP anniversary

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 26 – The Philippine Army in Samar is on alert on Saturday as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) marks its 46th founding anniversary.

Capt. Isagani Viernes, Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division spokesman, said that although some soldiers were on holiday break, military camps, especially in Samar were on defensive mode for possible attacks of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of CPP.

After launching three attacks within a week before Christmas Day, Viernes said there were no reported antrocities committed by rebels on Friday, allowing soldiers on duty to celebrate Christmas with their families in camps.

The military has suspended combat operation in compliance to the 12-day unilateral ceasefire approved by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III. The holiday truce took effect 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2015 until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2016.

“But we are not complacent because we know that rebels traditionally mark their anniversary with atrocities, but we hope that they will respect the ceasefire,” Viernes added.

On Dec. 22, a soldier and a civilian were wounded in an attack launched by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) Tuesday night at a camp in San Jorge, Samar.

The attack occurred on the same day when an undetermined number of rebels ambushed a military truck used for post-Nona response, killing a soldier and wounded three others in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

On Dec. 18, a convoy of military trucks were attacked in Pinabacdao, Samar after the soldiers delivered relief goods for typhoon victims in Eastern Samar. Two soldiers were hurt during the ambush. (PNA)
RMA/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Two wounded in a fresh attack in Samar hours before holiday truce

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Dec. 23 (PNA) -- A soldier and a civilian were wounded in a fresh attack launched by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) Tuesday night at a camp in San Jorge, Samar.

Capt. Isagani Viernes, Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division spokesman, said that 10 rebels surprisingly attacked the headquarters of 43rd Infantry Battalion in Blanca Aurora village in San Jorge, Samar. The fire fight lasted for 25 minutes.

The attack occurred on the same day when an undetermined number of rebels ambushed a military truck used for post-Nona response, killing a soldier and wounded three others in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

The two incidents came hours before the implementation of a 12-day unilateral ceasefire approved by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III. The truce took effect 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2015 until 11:59 p.m. on January 3, 2016.

“This harassment on our military camp just several hours before their self-declared ceasefire, is a clear indication that the NPA is not all serious about their respect to the spirit of Christmas and peace,” Viernes said.

Despite the action of NPA members, Viernes said that as ordered from top officials, all military installation in the region will only be on defensive mode, in compliance to ceasefire.

"We will not conduct any military operation against them in respect to the ceasefire. The only military operation that we will do here is the humanitarian works for typhoon Nona victims," Viernes added.

The suspension of military operation will allow soldiers to spend Christmas and New Year holidays with their families and love ones.

Along with other government agencies, military personnel in the region are in the forefront of giving aide to typhoon Nona victims in Samar provinces.

Viernes reminded soldiers to be on alert even if they are only involved in humanitarian works since insurgents are taking advantage of disaster response operation.

On Dec. 18, a convoy of military trucks were attacked in Pinabacdao, Samar after the soldiers delivered of relief goods for typhoon victim in Eastern Samar. Two soldiers were hurt during the ambush.

“We know that rebels traditionally mark their anniversary with atrocities, but we hope that they will respect the ceasefire,” Viernes added.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA will celebrate its 47th founding anniversary on Dec. 26. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/Roel T. Amazona

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