Army tallies 30 clashes with NPA since end of ceasefire

From ABS-CBN (Feb 19): Army tallies 30 clashes with NPA since end of ceasefire

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has tallied at least 30 skirmishes with the New People's Army since President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the government's ceasefire with communist rebels on February 4.

"Since Feb. 4 to date, Feb. 18, there are about 30 encounters already so if you compute it's like having 2 encounters a day," AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año told reporters at the sidelines of the Philippine Military Academy alumni homecoming on Saturday.

Troops have neutralized 44 NPA fighters -- 12 of whom were killed, 15 were captured and 17 surrendered, Año added.

The government and rebel sides scrapped their unilateral ceasefires this month, after negotiations hit a snag on the insurgents' demand to release political detainees.

Duterte said he was also suspending negotiations to end one of the world's longest-running Maoist campaigns. He also branded the rebels as "terrorists."

• TIMELINE: Gov't, CPP-NPA ceasefire breakdown

The AFP is willing to support the resumption of peace talks, but will continue operations against the NPA in the meantime, said Año.

"Hindi naman kami nakasara sa peace negotiation. The Armed Forces, siguro more than anyone, 'yung may gusto ng peace. But we will not allow the CPP-NPA to conduct atrocities and similar activities and imperil the lives of the ordinary people in the community," he said.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/19/17/army-tallies-30-clashes-with-npa-since-end-of-ceasefire