Young NPA hit squad violates Holy Week ceasefire as Army braces for more attacks
A 47 year-old farmer of Miag-ao, Iloilo escaped with serious injuries a brazen early morning attack by armed young men of the notorious communist terrorists New People's Army (NPA).
A blatant violation of the supposed ceasefire and cessation of hostilities during the Holy Week, Jodie Morante was confronted by some seven to ten armed rebels wearing military fatigue uniforms with Philippine Army patches.
The incident occurred in Barangay Ticdalan while Morante was at the height of tending his farmland. The dreaded rebels were apparently the "youngblood" of the NPAs in the area reportedly out on a test mission that Holy Thursday.
The target was Morante following trumped up charges of being a military asset and after failing to give the demanded ½ to 1 sack of palay every month, steady supply of vegetables and supply of native chicken to the NPAs.
In a report, The News Today (TNT) gathered that Morante suffered multiple gunshot wounds on his left arm and suffered bruises as he jumped over a ten-foot ravine to flee his attackers. He later told authorities that the rebels open-fired thereafter using M16 armalite rifles.
Help was immediately sought from the local police and Army troopers.
Army Captain Lowen Gil Marquez of the 3rd Civil Relations Group denounced the attack saying while the rest of the Christendom observed and respected the Lenten season, the NPAs, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines -- National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) caused terror to the masses.
"The CPP-NDF-NPA do not believe in God. And we know that they are out for more tactical terrorism," Capt. Marquez said. "But the Philippine Army is ready to face them squarely anytime, anywhere."