“(The President) also conveyed that his condemnation of the NPA (New People’s Army) attack on humanitarian soldiers engaged in humanitarian work in Samar, reiterating that this is the reason why he has opted to cease all talks with the NPA,” Roque said. The NPA is the armed wing of the communist rebels. Duterte ended the peace negotiations with the communists last month partly because of the NPA’s extortion activities and attacks against civilians. On Sunday, two soldiers who were on their way to a relief operation in Catubig, Northern Samar were hurt after they were waylaid by NPA members. Roque noted that under the International Humanitarian Law, an attack against a soldier conducting humanitarian activities is considered a war crime.

Source: Philippine Star December 18, 2017 14:03 UTC