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AFP, CPP/NPA trade accusations of violating Xmas truce


The Armed Forces yesterday traded charges of ceasefire violation with the communists in connection with a recent clash in San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro, the second breach allegedly committed by the insurgents on the 19-day truce. AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta said it is the New People’s Army, and not the military, that violated the truce as the soldiers were facilitating the surrender of a rebel at Bayotbot village late Thursday. “Actually, there was a negotiation for the some surrenderees within their [NPA] group but it seemed that this was discovered by their comrades. They [soldiers] were fired upon, sparking an exchange of fire," said Mabanta. Mabanta said no one was reported killed or injured on both sides as the soldiers and the rebels were far from one another. Nevertheless, a rebel, Christian Corpuz Bascos, kept his word to return to the fold of the law. “The Armed Forces did not commit any violation here," said Mabanta, adding the incident was the second violation committed by the rebels since the truce began last Dec. 16. Yuletide truce woes At present, the government and the communist rebels are observing a ceasefire that will end Jan. 3. The ceasefire is a confidence-building measure aimed at the possible resumption of peace talks next February. The military said the first rebel violation of the truce was on Dec. 20 when insurgents ambushed government militiaman Larry Bustamante while he was on the way to Guihilungan town in Negros Oriental. Bustamante got away unscathed. On Saturday, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) accused the military of breaking the truce in the Occidental Mindoro incident. It said the soldiers from the 80th Infantry Battalion were deployed to assault a house being visited by a group of NPA rebels. “To avoid the residents being hit in an exchange of gunfire, the NPA forces did not retaliate and simply took cover and immediately left through gaps in the encirclement operation," the CPP said in a statement. Worse, the CPP said that Bascos, who it said was visiting his girlfriend, was “arrested." It said two of Bascos comrades “who were also planning to visit their families and have medical checkups" were also arrested by the soldiers. “They thought that the other side would really keep their word and respect the terms of the ceasefire," the CPP said. Col. Generoso Bolina, spokesman of the AFP’s Southern Luzon Command, bolstered claims that the rebels opened fire at the soldiers during the negotiation for the surrender of Bascos. Bolina said the soldiers, led by one 2Lt. Balogan, retaliated, forcing the rebels to withdraw toward the southwest direction. He said Bascos stayed behind to surrender with his M16 rifle and bandoleer with three magazines loaded with ammunition. ‘Voluntary surrender’ not ‘truce violation’ 1Lt. Celeste Frank Sayson, spokesman of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, said negotiating for the surrender of a rebel is not a military offensive. He said Bascos has even executed an affidavit in the presence of lawyer Modesto Marigmen last Friday to confirm his “voluntary surrender." “(The) 2nd ID believes it does not violate the truce between the government and the New People’s Army. The skirmish is an act of self defense against the attacking NPA. The negotiation and meeting on the supposed surrender of Bascos prior to the ambush is not a military offensive, it is part of the Army’s Civil Military Operations," said Sayson. “It is a peaceful facilitation of the latter’s desire to live a peaceful life. Bascos was not kidnapped nor held by the military," added Sayson. Sayson said it has no knowledge of any rebel casualty although the NPA had admitted that one of its men, Stephen Lester Barrientos, was killed in the firefight. “The rebels are just making issues against the troops to cover up their violation on the yuletide truce and appease their loss — a surrendering comrade. Their allegations are all lies. Bascos is our proof of the incident. 2nd ID vehemently condemn this act of the NPA against the truce on this Yuletide season and the lies they espoused against our troops," added Sayson. CPP open to ‘broadest possible alliance’ As it marked its 42nd anniversary Sunday, the CPP vowed to pursue a two-pronged “people's war," sustaining guerrilla tactics to force a strategic stalemate with government while continuing peace efforts with it. In a statement posted on its website Saturday night, the CPP said it is aware the “US-Aquino regime" aims to use the peace talks to deceive the people, but added it is still not closing the doors on an “anti-imperialist alliance" with the Aquino administration. Moreover, the CPP said it must be open to the broadest possible alliance, which includes the “reactionary forces" against the imperialists. “Reactionaries are temporary and unreliable allies. They join the alliance because of their self-interest and they are inclined to attack the revolution once they come into power. But alliance with them is necessary in order to isolate and destroy the enemy," it said. But the CPP said it must maintain its independence and initiative and must draw benefits for the revolutionary movement from the conflicts of the reactionaries and build its strength for eventually overthrowing the entire ruling system. “After we succeed in advancing from the strategic defensive to the strategic stalemate, our task is to fully develop the strategic stalemate until the conditions are ripe for the nationwide seizure of power through the strategic offensive," it said. – MRT/VS/KBK, GMANews.TV

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