MANILA, Philippines — Three government trucks carrying relief goods for victims of Typhoon Nona in Samar provinces have been ambushed on Friday morning by armed men.
The armed men are suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA). At least two Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel were injured.
According to a state news report, the ambush occurred at around 7:30 a.m. between Madalunot and Pahug villages in Pinabacdao, Samar.
The trucks, carrying 32 soldiers, were heading to Tacloban City after delivering relief goods in eastern Samar on Thursday.
Philippine Army spokesperson Capt. Isagani Viernes said the government trucks were scheduled to pick up relief goods from Tacloban City. The Philippine Army is still looking into the incident.
"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 Operations, secure peace and share the Christmas spirit," Viernes said.
A reinforcement team from the 87th Infantry Battalion has been sent to the ambush site.
Viernes assured that the ongoing relief operations for victims affected by Typhoon Nona in Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar will not be affected despite the attack.
The cyclone damaged an estimated P320 million worth of agriculture and infrastructure, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
Nona has weakened into a low pressure area but tropical depression "Onyok" continues to pose a threat in the Caraga region.
LIVE updates: Tropical cyclone 'Onyok'