The Philippine Army (PA) strongly condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) after it allegedly attacked soldiers who were conducting relief work for victims of Severe Tropical Storm in Pio, Duran, Albay on Sunday, Oct. 27.
A report reaching Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City revealed that elements of the 49th Infantry Battalion encountered around 10 armed men while they were distributing food, water, and other much-needed aid for the affected families in Barangay Matanglad around 6:15 a.m.
The firefight, which lasted for 15 minutes, resulted to the wounding of a soldier after he was hit by shrapnel from an anti-personnel mine.
Meanwhile, the Army could not immediately assess if there was any casualty on the part of the NPA.
“This cowardly interference demonstrates the CTG’s [communist-terrorist-group] disregard for the safety and welfare of our countrymen who were severely affected by tropical storm Kristine,” PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said.
“The Army also condemns the CTG’s brazen use of an anti-personnel mine that injured one soldier who is conducting relief work,” he added.
The enemies reportedly took away some of the relief packs intended for the evacuees as they, too, have also been suffering from starvation due to the impact of Kristine.
Millions of people were affected due to the impact of Kristine, with Bicol among the hardest-hit regions in the country.
Dema-ala urged the public to report to authorities any information on armed groups that threaten peace and security in their communities.
“Rest assured, the Philippine Army stands ready to overcome any challenges in ensuring the safety of our communities and in supporting the recovery of affected communities,” he stated.
The troops recovered on site various improvised explosive device (IED), bandoliers, cellular phones, three hammocks, and four backpacks believed to be owned by the enemies.
Dema-ala reiterated the PA’s “steadfast commitment” to help the Filipinos “in compliance with President and Commander-in-Chief Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to facilitate a ‘conveyor belt of aid’ for communities that bore the brunt of the storm.”