Army claims NPA rebels using medical missions to ship in logistics

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army accused the communist New People's Army (NPA) Wednesday of using medical missions to smuggle logistics into Negros Occidental province. Online news site Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com) reported that the shipments being smuggled into the province include medicines, ammunition and weapons. Col. Cesar Yano, commander of the Army's 302nd Infantry Brigade, admitted that it is sometimes difficult to monitor these activities with checkpoints and inspection of vehicles because of "legal limitations." He said Army troops recently foiled an attempt to bring in such goods when a medical mission scheduled Friday in Kakha, Sta. Catalina town did not push through due to the heavy presence of soldiers there. Yano said the rebels were planning another offensive after the medical mission. Lt. Col. Erwin Bernard Neri, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion based in Siaton, Negros Oriental, also confirmed reports that a regular medical mission is being held in Barangay Nagbalaye, Sta. Catalina. The medical mission carried out by a non-government organization offered free consultation, basic medical services and medicines. Neri said they are continuously monitoring these activities in the hinterlands. He noted most beneficiaries of medical missions are "selected," referring to perceived supporters to the underground movement. - GMANews.TV