2 killed in clash with New People's Army in Surigao del Norte – AFP

A brief skirmish between the military and the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines left two dead a day before the New People's Army extended a ceasefire in areas stricken by Typhoon Yolanda.

 

According to Captain Alberto Caber, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao Command, members of NPA Front 16 clashed with troops on a security patrol in Brgy Alipao, Alegria, Surigao del Norte at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

 

An unidentified NPA rebel and a soldier were killed in the firefight, which lasted for about 25 minutes.

 

Two improvised explosive devices were recovered from the suspected rebels after the clash, Caber said

 

The fight occurred a day before the Maoist group extended its ceasefire in the central Philippines, which the government has not reciprocated due to difficulties in peace negotiations.

Surigao del Norte is in the Caraga region in Mindanao.

Before the NPA extended its unilateral ceasefire, the military said reciprocating  the ceasefire was not a military decision, but a political one.

 

Major General Jet Velarmino, Army commander in Samar and Leyte, told Reuters Saturday that the CPP is an enemy of the state, and while the military is focused on humanitarian operations, a sufficient number of troops are on alert for security operations.

 

Midnight of November 24, Sunday, marks the extension of the ten-day ceasefire which the CPP announced on November 14.

The NPA's regional commands of Eastern Visayas, Panay. Central Visayas, and Negros Island were put on "active defense mode" so relief operations can move smoothly through these areas. 

 

Security operations in the area are ongoing after the Surigao del Norte attack.

Military field commanders were told to remain vigilant by East Mindanao area commander Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, who said security operations are being carried out jointly with the Philippine National Police. — Rie Takumi/JDS, GMA News