Militiaman's wife killed in Albay NPA ambush

MANILA, Philippines - A few hours after the Communist Party of the Philippines refused to extend the Christmas cease-fire on Wednesday, the wife of a militiaman was shot dead by armed bandits in Ligao, Albay.

The truce between the government and the New People's Army (NPA), which began last December 20 and supposed to end on January 15, had just ended when off-duty militiaman Arnel Yuson and wife Sarah Jane while traveling by motorcycle were ambushed by three heavily-armed men in Barangay Oma-Oma at 7:30 pm.

"The bandits rained a hail of bullets at the hapless victims. Arnel was able to escape unhurt but his wife died of her fatal wounds during the ambush, forcing him to leave her behind to report the incident to the authorities," Pasia said in a statement.

Second Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Audrey Pasia said Yuson, who was responsible for the arrest of NPA leader Iglecirio "Ka Choy" Pernia, had long been hunted by the rebel group.

Yuson and his two older brothers serving in the Armed Forces had also been involved in successful combat operations against the bandits in Albay, Pasia added.

Pasia, who called NPA's refusal to honor the cease-fire till the last minute unfair, said the incident was proof of the group's "insincerity" in cooperating to attain peace.

"Our soldiers and militiamen were allowed to go home to spend time with their family during the mutually agreed truce which ends on Jan. 15. They suddenly called off the ceasefire and commit this act killing the wife of our off-duty militiaman," Pasia said.

He added that the attack was in violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law that both the government and the communist army signed.

"Killing unarmed military personnel and their family members who are non-combatants, is against the laws of armed conflict and the rule of law," the 2nd Infantry Battalion chief said.

Intelligence reports cited by a PNA report indicate that Pernia rejoined the rebel group after he had been released from his detainment in 2012 as part of the peace deal.