ILOILO CITY–The New People’s Army (NPA) claimed responsibility for the ambush on policemen in Tubungan town in Iloilo on Monday (Dec. 23) but insisted that the attack was in “active defense” amid a ceasefire declaration by rebels and the government. ADVERTISEMENTThe PNP in Western Visayas decried the attack on policemen at the village of Singon in Tubungan town around 9:30 a.m. on Monday, hours after the separate ceasefire declaration of rebels and the government took effect on midnight. The police regional office said the policemen were on their way home after operations against the rebels when attacked. Before the clash, police units were still at several villages in the town of Leon, according to Remus. “These show their being deceitful amid the ceasefire declaration,” he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 24, 2019 09:45 UTC