DAVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday lashed out at the New People’s Army (NPA) for attacking government troops, in violation of the ceasefire declared unilaterally by his administration and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). During his meeting in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, with mayors of storm-devastated towns in the province, the President called the insurgents “egotists.”“These communists are egotists. Ceasefire … but they attacked the …” Mr. Duterte said. ADVERTISEMENTClashes erupted in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley on Christmas Day as scores of NPA rebels harassed soldiers and tried to abduct a militiaman in separate incidents, according to the military. The rebels withdrew after engaging soldiers in a two-minute firefight, according to Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID).

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 27, 2017 10:52 UTC