Illustrative image (Source: manetwork.com) Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine troopshave resumed assaults against the New People’s Army (NPA), killing at least onegunman and capturing one of its leaders after President Rodrigo Dutertecancelled peace talks with the rebel group, said military officials on February6.
The captured leader is Ariel Arbitrario, oneof the dozens released in 2016 when the Philippine Government and the rebelgroup restored their peace talks.
Adviser of the rebel group Luis Jalandoniaccused the military of breaching the ceasefire by deploying troops in about500 villages, occupying severe locations and continuing surveillanceoperations.
The group is ready to resume peace talks, whichis scheduled to take place from February 22 to 25 in Europe, with Norway beingthe mediator, to discuss about a possible ceasefire, he added.
On February 3, President Rodrigo Dutertedeclared to annul the six-month ceasefire with the NPA. He also cancelled allpeace talks with the group the following day, after the NPA stopped theceasefire and killed six Government soldiers and kidnapped two in recent clashes.
The fight between theGovernment troops and the NPA has claimed about 30,000 lives over half of thecentury. Gunmen of the NPA said that the army used Duterte’s anti-drug campaignas an excuse to launch campaigns in areas that are under the control of the rebelgroup.-VNA
