DAET, Camarines Norte (BicolToday.com) – The early Wednesday attack on an Army base in Camarines Norte by New People’s Army (NPA) fighters is a sign of renewed offensives to be launched by rebels in the Bicol Region, a rebel statement said Friday.

Carlito Cada, Camarines Sur rebel spokesperson, said these offensives serve as an answer of the Armando Catapia Command to the continuing all-out-war campaign of the AFP, and the AFP-instigated Martial Law which led to US interference in Mindanao.

“The onslaught of offensive operations in the all-out-war of the pro-US AFP has led to widespread violations of human rights. Through Martial Law, the trigger-happy AFP now wields more authority in silencing and harassing the common people,” said the NPA statement released Friday after a successful attack on an Army patrol base Wednesday morning in Labo, this province.

Last Wednesday, June 21, at about 1:02 am, NPA red fighters from the Armando Catapia Command (NPA-Camarines Norte) launched an offensive on the patrol base of the 902nd Infantry Brigade of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division, PA, in Barangay Dumagmang, Labo, Camarines Norte.

According to the NPA statement, the firefight went on for 3 hours and 40 minutes, one soldier was killed and four were wounded on the side of the AFP.

One K3 machine gun was also seized from the AFP. There were no casualties on the side of the NPA.

At 6:00 am on the same day, an NPA team, using a command-detonated explosive (CDX), blasted 2 trucks loaded with 15 or more soldiers, on their way to reinforce the AFP troops in Barangay Dumagmang.

The demolition took place at a distance of around 400 meters from the 9th IB detachment in Barangay Mahawan-hawan, Labo.

A firefight also ensued, which lasted for 10-15 minutes. On the side of the AFP, Corporal Rey Lota was killed, while four more soldiers were wounded. There were no casualties on the side of the NPA.

The NPA claimed, the CDX used is different from the landmines which are banned by the Ottawa Treaty, which explode upon contact. The CDX used by the NPA explode only when the the designated bomber pushes the trigger of the blasting machine.

“This way, those in command can analyze the situation before ordering the bomber to push the trigger. The CDX is a legitimate weapon of war, unlike the indiscriminate airstrikes used by the AFP,” the statement said.

“To counter the AFP’s fascism and to defend the masses, the Communist Party of the Philippines ordered the NPA to launch more tactical offensives. The masses can rely only on its Revolutionary Army, especially now that Duterte has proven to be a pawn of the AFP, the pillar of US rule in the Philippines,” Cada said.

Cada vowed the Armando Catapia Command has called all its units to continue launching tactical offensives to uphold the rights and interests of the masses.