Reds launch attacks in Negros

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas launched fresh attacks on Sunday, burning construction equipment in Siaton, Negros Oriental.

The rebels, on three motorcycles, torched equipment owned by the Medalla Construction parked near the Siaton River in Barangay Katikugan, according to Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, chief of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.

Aying said the rebels, armed with rifles, shouted “Mabuhay ang NPA (Long live the NPA)” and fired shots in the air as they were fleeing the area.

Troopers of the Regional Public Safety Battalion assisted the Army in pursuing the guerrillas.

Authorities recovered bullet shells for different firearms and a container with gasoline.

The attack occurred more than a week after another group of insurgents ambushed and killed six police officers and a civilian in Guihulngan City, also in Negros Oriental.

Among those killed was the city police chief, who was responding along with his men to a call for help from a city councilor.

Aying denounced the continued atrocities committed by the NPA in Negros Island Region.

In a visit to the province recently, President Duterte ordered security forces to be more aggressive in running after the communist rebels, who continued with their offensives against government forces despite the ongoing peace talks.