Rebels harass troops in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 2, 2010) – Communist rebels harassed government troops engaged in humanitarian works in Davao City in the southern Philippines, officials said Saturday.

Officials said New People’s Army rebels opened fire on soldiers while they were resting in the village of Fatima in Paquibato district. The attack late Thursday lasted more than 15 minutes, said Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.

“There were no military or civilian casualties,” he said.

He said the troops deployed in Paquibato district, a known lair of communist rebels, were working on peace and development outreach program.

“These soldiers are involved mainly in the conduct of dialogues with the people and in the planning and implementation of humanitarian assistance programs that will benefit the people,” Aguilar said.

Major General Jorge Segovia, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said the harassment will not affect peace and development projects in the area.

“The harassments are aimed to divert our attention away from implementing community projects, but they will fail. If they continue with their harassments and other violent activities, our soldiers will be there to protect the people,” Segovia said.

The NPA is fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)