Palace: NPA attack on Negros mining site shows insincerity in peace process

The attack by New People’s Army guerrillas on a mining compound in Negros Occidental Friday night and a subsequent encounter that killed at least five soldiers Saturday is another proof of the communists’ insincerity in the peace process, a Malacañang official said Sunday. But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also reiterated the Armed Forces of the Philippines remains ready to protect the citizenry. “Pinakita nila ang insincerity nila when it comes to talking peace and wanting to come to the negotiating table, hindi nila tinigilan eh,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. “They said they want to talk peace but it seems they never stop attacking our own kababayan,” she added. On Saturday, at least five soldiers were killed in an encounter with NPA rebels in Sipalay town in Negros Occidental. The rebels had raided the Philex Mining Corp. compound in Barangay Camindangan in Sipalay City Friday night. During the one-hour firefight at Sitio Omas in Barangay Camindangan at about 7:40 a.m., five soldiers were killed and two were wounded, state-run Philippines News Agency reported. Investigation showed the rebels raided the Philex compound at about 9 p.m. Friday and burned down two employee bunkhouses. They also set fire to a tractor with drilling machine, a generator set, a handheld radio, and some of the workers’ personal belongings. Soldiers from the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade pursued the rebels and engaged them in a firefight. The latest attack came shortly after Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison warned of intensified attacks by the NPA due to the government’s plan to stop formal peace talks in favor of a new approach. Valte said that despite last weekend’s incident, the AFP “will continue to protect the citizenry.” “Ipagpapatuloy ng ating kasundaluhan ang pag-protect sa ating kababayan,” she said. — BM, GMA News