KIDAPAWAN CITY—Six security guards of a multinational banana company were wounded when New People’s Army (NPA) rebels fired rifle grenades at the firm’s processing plant on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENTIt was followed by a series of automatic fire from the attackers, triggering a brief gun battle when the security guards returned fire. “It was harassment by NPAs because the firm ignores extortion demand from the rebels,” Supt. The injured guards were identified as Jerry Cansico, Ramar Embay, Naseran Embana, Joel Algocoy, Nelson Ampugo and Christoval Felix. Sison issued the statement after presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the government wanted a “permanent truce” with communist rebels and not only a short lived ceasefire during the holidays.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 09, 2018 21:11 UTC