Jaime Laude of The Philippine Star, via ABS-CBNNews.com, reports that Philippine Army officials have revealed that "suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) are allegedly taking advantage of the government-declared 18-day Christmas and New Year truce as some of them are spotted lining up for food rations in areas hit by typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley."
The report quoted an Army field officer based in the province who said, "They (NPAs) are also benefitting from the ongoing food and non-food distribution. We know them but in the spirit of Christmas and in observance of the truce, our troops do not discriminate in the ongoing relief operations."
The report noted: "Compostela Valley is among the areas in Mindanao where there are a large number of suspected communist rebels. It is also the same province that suffered the most from the typhoon, which killed and displaced hundreds."
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