The Philippine Army disclosed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) violated its holiday ceasefire in Compostela Valley.
The Philippine Army 10th Infantry Division (ID) said that about 30 fully-equipped rebels allegedly chased and tried to capture Arbilito Catampao, a member of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary in Compostela Valley, on Christmas Day past 9 a.m.
On the same day around 7 p.m., the Melale Patrol Base under the 72nd Infantry Battalion was also harassed by an undetermined number of communist rebels believed to be members of Guerilla Front 34. A two-minute firefight sparked between the camps of the government forces and the rebels.
There were no casualties on the side of the military, while several NPA terrorists were killed, according to the statement.
The 10th ID commander, Major General Noel Clement, slammed the NPA for violating ceasefire declarations. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) earlier declared a holiday truce from December 23 to December 26.
“It was absolutely a clear violation of ceasefire made by the terrorist NPA to disrupt our efforts in making sure Christmas will be celebrated peacefully. Their celebration is usually accompanied by armed attacks against the people that reflect their true color as a criminal organization void of any ideology,” Clement said.
Clement added that the division will remain on the defensive stance and continue being vigilant.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier announced a unilateral ceasefire with the communists on December 19, effective 6 p.m on December 23 until 11:59 p.m. on December 26, and the same hours on December 30 to January 2, 2018.
Following the President’s declaration, the NPA, the armed wing of the CPP, also declared its own holiday truce, effective from 6 p.m. of December 23 and December 30, and will end at 6 p.m. of December 26 and January 2, 2018.