TROOPS FOIL ABRA REBELS’ ATTEMPT FOR RESUPPLY IN ILOCOS NORTE

February 8, 2025 Headlines

BAGUIO CITY

Government troopers from the Philippine Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion have recently foiled an attempt by communist rebels from Abra to get food and medical supplies from Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte. At least 15 rebels allegedly belonging to Platun Uno of the Illcos Cordillera Regional Commitee of the CPP-NPA briefly fought with soldiers who detected their presence Thursday morning in Sitio Dapulay, Barangay Problacion, Nueva Era town, the Public Affairs Office of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division said in sketchy details following the firefight that left rebels fleeing and leaving behind their supposed medical and food resupply haul.

Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos-Manotoc though calmed down worries of Nueva Era villagers of any resurgence
of violence in the town saying, the rebels are from adjacent Abra province only heading down to get supplies. But local peace advocacy group Kaammoyo ti Kappia (KTK) in a statement called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and local government authorities “to conduct an immediate investigation into this situation.” The safety and well-being of civilians in the community must be ensured, and any violations of human rights must be closely
monitored and addressed, it further urged amid fears of human rights abuses occurring with ongoing military
operations in the area since Thursday night.

Policemen and soldiers were deployed in Barangay Uguis, Nueva Era, KTK further claimed, “contradicting the
earlier statement by (Gov. Manotoc) assuring residents that there was no cause for concern.” KTK further said, “give
the AFP’s record of human rights abuses, we call for an immediate and impartial investigation to ensure the
protection of civilian communities.” While, it also reiterated the need “to resume peace talks between the CPP-NPA-NDFP and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) to address the root causes of armed conflict.” Only through genuine dialogue and justice can lasting peace be achieved, it stressed. The military claimed no
government troop was hurt nor killed, while believing rebels could have been wounded and killed because they noticed blood stains along routes rebels withdrew towards Abra.

Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN