9 communist rebels killed in Christmas day clash

MANILA, Philippines — Nine members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a bloody Christmas Day clash between government forces and the communist rebel group in Bukidnon.

Soldiers of the military’s 403rd Infantry Brigade under the 4th Infantry Division also recovered at least eight firearms from the encounter sites in four Malaybalay City villages yesterday.

The fatalities are yet to be identified. Government troops are conducting operations against remaining members of the NPA unit operating in the area.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Xerxes Trinidad said soldiers initiated a sustained offensive after receiving reports of NPA presence in the hinterlands of Barangays Can-ayan, Kibalabag, Kulaman and Mapulo.

During the initial scouring, operating troops seized eight firearms from the encounter site. They expect to find more as operations continue in coordination with local communities that are also helping identify the casualties.

“This incident further diminishes the capability of the NPA to conduct atrocities in Bukidnon and nearby provinces,” Trinidad said.

The clash occurred as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) announced on Sunday that the NPA would observe a unilateral ceasefire on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and Dec. 26, which falls on the CPP’s 55th founding anniversary.

Call to lay down arms

Instead of making what it describes as “empty statements,” the military called on remaining members of the NPA to lay down their arms and surrender.

“The task given to the AFP is clear and we will comply with it. We will be watchful and our operations will continue unabated to keep our communities safe and end the communist armed conflict, once and for all. The defeat of this threat aligns with the collective wish of all Filipinos,” Trinidad said.

“The unilateral ceasefire declared by the CPP is an empty statement as they do not have the leadership and support of the masses. Their ammunitions are depleted and their members – supporters included – are surrendering,” he added.

Trinidad assured the public that the AFP will keep watch despite the truce.

“Their capability to plan and stage attacks was already diminished, but we are expecting harassments to create unnecessary disturbance or noise. Nonetheless, our forces on the ground were already warned and are ready,” he said.

“It is much better for them to abandon the armed struggle. Laying down their arms and returning to the fold of the law in order to be with their families is the rational path forward towards a united, peaceful and progressive country,” Trinidad said.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., in an interview over ANC Sunday night, clarified that formal peace talks with the CPP-NPA have not yet resumed. Only exploratory talks are ongoing.

“I think it was underemphasized that these are not peace talks,” he stressed, explaining that peace talks are “a hurdle which we have not crossed.”

Teodoro stressed that if formal peace talks resumed, there would be a cessation of law enforcement operations against the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front, and a cessation of activities of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.