The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the government made no mistake in canceling peace talks with the New People’s Army following their attacks on a military convoy transporting relief aid to victims of the tropical storm Urduja in Eastern Visayas.
AFP Spokesperson and Public Affairs Chief Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo said, “We condemn this attack. It only manifested the true color of these communist terrorists.”
“This only validated the aptness of government’s decision to terminate the peace negotiations and to discontinue the traditional Christmas truce,” he added.
Around 50 rebels attacked the 20th Infantry Battalion (IB) heading to Brgy. Hinagonoyan in Catubig, Northern Samar on Sunday, resulting in a two-hour gunfight and leaving two soldiers wounded, according to Lt. Michelle Estares, Civil-Military Operations officer of the 20th IB.
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 12/ 19 / 17)