In the remote reaches of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, a fierce altercation erupted on Christmas Day, claiming the lives of nine New People’s Army insurgents. The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division disclosed that among the casualties were three identified as amazons, their identities yet to be unveiled.
The clash, a striking confrontation between the military and communist rebels, unfolded across the terrains of Barangays Can-ayan, Kibalabag, Kulaman, and Mapulo. The intensity of the situation compelled ground forces to seek assistance, prompting close air support from the Tactical Operations Group 10 of the Philippine Air Force and artillery fire from the 4th and 10th Field Artillery Battalions.
Brig. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., the 403rd Brigade commander, stressed the tactical use of air and artillery support as a means to safeguard their forces, minimizing casualties while ensuring community safety and the preservation of property.
This clash, shadowing the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 55th anniversary on December 26, emerged despite the CPP’s unilateral ceasefire declaration for the preceding two days.
The government, however, refrained from reciprocating the ceasefire, maintaining a stance incongruent with the plan to reinitiate peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) aimed at quelling the longstanding insurgency.
Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, the 4th ID commander, underscored their unwavering commitment to the directive of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to ensure community safety and resolve the communist armed conflict. He emphasized the precision and adherence to protocols in their joint operations, executed with a focus on safeguarding civilians from the persistent threats posed by NPA insurgents.
Aside from the loss of lives, the government troops seized a cache of weaponry, including rifles, a shotgun, a pistol, and grenades from the conflict zone. However, the retrieval of the casualties from the hinterlands remained pending at the time of reporting.
The designation of the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group by several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines, looms over this conflict. The National Democratic Front, an integral faction of the CPP-NPA, received formal terrorist organization status from the Anti-Terrorism Council in June 2021, further entrenching the complexity of the conflict.
As this clash on Christmas Day resonates, it echoes the persistent struggle between ideologies, underscoring the enduring challenge of achieving lasting peace in the region.