DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 18, 2011) – A government militia was killed and another wounded in an attack by communist rebels in the southern Philippines, police and military said Monday.
The weekend attack occurred in the village of Doña Maxima in Agusan del Sur’ San Luis town where New People’s Army rebels are actively operating. Police identified the slain militia as Julito Ansing, 52, and blamed NPA snipers for the shootings.
No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack, but the rebels have previous warned security forces, including pro-government militias to be ready for a new wave of offensives in the troubled region.
Rebel attacks are continuing in many parts of the Philippines despite ongoing peace talks between the communist group and the Aquino government. The two sides are yet to sign a cease-fire agreement to prevent armed clashes between rebels and government forces while the talks are going on.
But communist rebel leaders are demanding President Benigno Aquino III to free hundreds of jailed comrades and political sympathizers as a gesture of goodwill and to boost confidence in the peace talks.
However, military officials are opposed to the demand, saying, those jailed are facing criminal charges and have been accused of trying to overthrow the democratic government and install a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
No comments:
Post a Comment