Communist rebels kill 10 soldiers in the Philippines

[alp227]

Source: BBC

At least 10 Philippine soldiers have been killed in an ambush by communist rebels in the north of the country, officials say.

The New People's Army (NPA) ambushed an army convoy in a remote village in Ifugao province, north of Luzon Island, according to the military and police.

At least one civilian is also said to have died in the incident.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its NPA armed wing have been fighting the government since 1969.

(...)

The group is listed on the Foreign Terrorist Organisation list of the US State Department.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17837179

[Daniel537]

1. Time to hang it up, fellas.

Communism is long gone and it ain't coming back.

[BB_Troll]

2. 1969 eh? that's a long time to jumping in and out of the jungle

Communism isn't dead, really. It's just under new management.

[DCBob]

3. Hard to believe this group is still active.

They were a significant group back in the late 70's when I was there as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I thought they gave it up since then. I spent quite a bit of time in Ifugao province. Thats where most of the famous rice terraces are located. Beautiful.

[Uncle Joe]

4. I wouldn't be surprised

if China is backing the Communist rebels up.

Thanks for the thread, alp.

[DCBob]

5. Is has long been known that the NPA was funded by China.

Its also interesting this event happened just as China and the Philippines are embroiled in a dispute over rights to an oil rich area in the South China Sea. You think they are connected?

[Uncle Joe]

6. I would say there is about a 94.76% chance they're connected.

Perhaps the fishing boat and naval standoff was a cover for smuggling ammo as well, at the very least there is some level of coordination.

[DCBob]

7. yeah, that's about right.

The Chinese are not making any friends in the Philippines lately. They also executed three filipinos for drug smuggling a few months ago. Yes, they were probably guilty but the sentence was seen as extreme and barbaric.

[Uncle Joe]

8. Here's another interesting connection.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014106994

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17849027

US undercover agents had been investigating the couple for suspected drugs trafficking since February 2011.

But the pair allegedly went on to try to acquire and export arms technology, including a small drone plane.

(snip)

The defendants "purportedly acted on behalf of agents of the People's Republic of China and sought to acquire assets and information which, in their words, 'would hurt America'," the charge sheet claims.

(snip)

The pair came to the US authorities' attention through a Hong Kong national allegedly involved in trading counterfeit goods - who is currently in custody in the Philippines awaiting extradition to the US.