Posted on 12/12/2003 3:19:46 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
THREE separate encounters between government soldiers and New People’s Army rebels were reported on Tuesday, a day before the government’s Christmas truce takes effect.
The Philippine National Police headquarters at Camp Crame reported that the clashes took place in Camarines Sur, Negros Oriental and Compostela Valley, all known NPA strongholds.
On Monday President Arroyo declared a suspension of military offensives for the Christmas season. The truce will last until midnight of January 6.
The NPA said, however, that it would observe its own truce from December 20 to January 4.
Reports said the first encounter took place in Sitio Gullid-gullid, Barangay Palsong, Bula, Camarines Sur, between men of the Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion and an unknown number of insurgents.
The fight lasted 10 minutes before the rebels withdrew toward Barangay Tupaz in the nearby town of Nabua. No casualties were reported.
In Sitio Malabadlao, Barangay Apoloy, Siaton, Negros Oriental, soldiers from the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion traded shots with about eight rebels.
A soldier, Pfc. Emmanuel Gorricita, was wounded. One rebel, Lendi Zamora, was arrested in the 15-minute fight.
In Pantukan, Compostela, a patrol base of the Army’s 701st Brigade was attacked by an undetermined number of rebels under a certain Kumander Lando.
The rebels arrived in two trucks and tried to storm the patrol base in Sitio Lawaan, Barangay Kingking but they were beaten off. No casualties were reported.
Senior Supt. Joel Goltiao, PNP spokesman, welcomed the truce, saying it would show sincerity toward peace and reconciliation with the communists.
After announcing the cease-fire, President Arroyo ordered a review of cases of political prisoners to determine those eligible for pardon.
The President said the review should be taken as a sign that the government is sincere in pursuing peace talks with the NPA and its political affiliates, the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front.
“I have directed the [Department of Justice] to speed up the review of cases of alleged political offenders for their possible release on bail, recognizance or pardon,” she said. “This shall also demonstrate the government’s commitment to continuously [carry out] goodwill and confidence-building measures to move forward the peace talks with the cpp-npa/ndf.”
The President gave the justice department until December 25 to come up with the names of those entitled to be released.
The human-rights advocate Karapatan lists 308 political prisoners arrested on mere suspicion of being members of the NPA.
Some of those arrested have been detained more than five years, Karapatan said.
The prisoners include the “Mamburao Six,” peasants from Mindoro Occidental arrested in 1997 after they were implicated in the death of Michael and Paul Quintos on December 13, 1997.
The justice department has ordered the release of the six, but a local court continues to defy the directive.
Another political prisoner, Donato Continente, was arrested in 1989 after being implicated in the assassination of Col. James Rowe, a Jusmag adviser.
He is still detained at the New Bilibid Prison despite recommendations from the justice department. The US State Department has been reportedly blocking Continente’s release.
Malacañang’s declaration of a unilateral cease-fire and the order to speed up the review of cases of political prisoners are in commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“The government reaffirms its commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights. . . . The declaration of cessation of hostilities shall bring together the Filipino families to celebrate the good tidings of Christmas as we continue to implore the peace and grace of the Holy Infant Jesus,” the President said.--With Ma. Theresa Torres
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