Reds launch another ambush in Palawan

THE New People's Army (NPA) launched another major offense on the duration of the Arroyo government yuletide season truce with the communists, ambushing Marine troops anew in Palawan province Saturday night.

This is the fourth offense to be staged by the rebels during the government truce. The first was when the communists killed three unarmed Marine soldier also in an ambush in Palawan.

Marine spokesman Jonas Lumawag said the latest rebel attack against troops from the 69th Marine Company occurred at 8 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Dumarao in Roxas town, Palawan.

He said the troops were on a re-supply mission to Puerto Princesa City when an undetermined number of rebels waylaid them.

A soldier was wounded in the ambush and was declared out of danger by physicians, said Lumawag.

Lumawag said the troops were able to put up a fight against their attackers who withdrew after sustaining undetermined number of casualties.

Pursuit operations are ongoing against the fleeing rebels, he said.

The attack came three days after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) marked its 39th foundation anniversary.

NPA rebels traditionally celebrate the anniversary CPP -- the NPA's political wing -- with attacks.

Also, the attack came as the communist movement is due to observe starting Monday a two-day New Year truce with the government.

The communists have observed a two-day Christmas truce, starting last December 24.

The Arroyo government has declared a 22-day ceasefire with the rebels, starting last December 16.

Hours after the ceasefire took effect, NPA rebels ambushed three Marine soldiers in San Vicente town, Palawan, killing all of them.

The rebels have staged two other attacks during the government truce, including the raid of a police station in Eastern Samar that left a militiaman dead last December 23.

The rebels carted away a cache of firearms from the police station.

Last December 26, NPA rebels burned two heavy equipment involved in the construction of market roads in San Francisco town in Quezon due to the failure of the town mayor, who owns the equipment, to pay revolutionary tax to the rebels. (VR/Sunnex)