At least eight communist rebels including two women were killed on Wednesday as government forces took over the main base of the insurgent New People’s Army (NPA) in the southern province of Sorsognon. The latest blow to the dwindling NPA came amid calls from Church and civil society groups for both sides to resume peace talks in a bid to end a conflict which has continued for four decades.
“Now is the time for the NPA to consider their position. This unfortunate incident would not have happened if their comrades had chosen the right and non-violent path to air their greivances,” Lt-Col Medel Aguilar, spokesman for the army’s 9th Infantry Division, said on Thursday. Read more here.
