Military’s anti-insurgency operations to derail Reds’ plot during holidays

MANILA, Philippines — The military, launching all-out operations against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA)’s plot during the holidays, yesterday described as plain “communist propaganda” the reported 14 soldiers who were killed fighting in Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur last week.

Cagayan de Oro City-based 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Ronaldo Villanueva said the CPP-NPA is now resorting to a propaganda war after soldiers were able to capture two of their adjoining camps in last week’s fighting in the mountainous boundary of Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur.

Villanueva said only one Scout Ranger was killed in action at the height of the fighting that resulted in the capture of the rebels’ camps last Thursday.

The captured camps are believed to be this year’s venue of the CPP’s 50th founding anniversary celebration slated on Dec. 26.

“We have one casualty in the two-day fighting in the boundaries of Bukidnon and Esperanza, Agusan del Sur last week. It is propaganda anyway. We are more on the truth versus propaganda,” Villanueva said, belying claims made by the NPA that 14 soldiers were killed in the fighting.

Villanueva said the capture of the NPA’s adjoining camps was a major setback for the CPP-NPA leadership, who were believed to be planning to use the said place as the main venue for its forthcoming golden anniversary celebration.         – With Gilbert Bayoran