11 soldiers hurt as improvised bomb explodes in Compostela

December 27, 2018

Eleven soldiers were injured as communist guerrillas detonated a homemade bomb in Compostela on Wednesday, a regional military spokesperson said.

Troops under the 10th Division Reconnaissance Company and the 25th Infantry Battalion were conducting operations in the village of Tinago in Monkayo town around 10 am following reports of  rebels preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“Civilians told our men on the ground they were conducting recruitment in the area and forcing civilians to attend the rebel group’s anniversary. We dispatched a team and they detonated an improvised bomb,” said Capt. Jerry Lamosao, spokesperson for the 10th Infantry Division.

On December 25, soldiers fought a band of alleged communist rebels in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur but there were no injuries reported. 

“The battalion is on high alert to thwart any offensive atrocities that the terrorists are planning to conduct as a despicable testimony of their existence," said Lt. Col. Rhojun Rosales, commander of the Army's 39th Infantry Battalion.

In his visit at a military camp in Compostela Valley on December 22, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to “destroy” the New People’s Army (NPA).

“We do not subscribe to their ceasefire. We are ready for anything and I said change your paradigm. Do not fight them. Destroy them. Destroy them. Kill them,” Duterte said.

"Law and order means you have to destroy, not really fight, but destroy the Communist Party of the Philippines, including its legal fronts and infrastructure," Duterte added.

Sandara Sidlakan, spokesperson for Guerrilla Fronts 21 and 30, belittled the President latest directive as he claimed they were able to celebrate their 50th founding anniversary  in small groups and scattered areas despite military operations. 

“This enabled us to still commemorate our 50 years as well as share to our comrades our achievements and milestones throughout the campaign, further strengthening the morale in our ranks,” Sidlakan said in statement.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for 50 years. Military estimates placed NPA strength at 5,000 men in more than 60 guerrilla fronts. DMS