18 Killed in 1st Clash Since End of Philippine Truce

Troops battled Communist rebels Tuesday in the first clash since a cease-fire ended on Sunday, and a military report said 18 people were killed, including 12 civilians caught in the crossfire.

Military reports said fighting broke out when a patrol of the 14th Infantry Battalion ran into about 40 New People’s Army guerrillas near Lupao, about 90 miles north of Manila.

Also on Tuesday, the government’s Philippine News Agency reported that 39 constabulary troops who took part in a failed coup Jan. 27 have been dishonorably discharged and will be charged with rebellion before civil courts.

A military report said that one lieutenant, five rebels and 12 civilians died in the clash. Three civilians were reported wounded.

The government news agency said that fighting flared in a “rebel-influenced” village about half a mile from Lupao but spread into the town itself as rebels withdrew toward the hills.

‘Panicky Civilians’

It said that retreating rebels “mingled with panicky civilians, making it hard for the pursuing soldiers to fire at them.” Brig. Gen. Eugenio Ocampo, commander for central Luzon, sent police and troops backed by helicopters to pursue the rebels.

A 60-day cease-fire in the 18-year-old insurrection lapsed at noon Sunday.

Chief government negotiator Teofisto Guingona expressed pessimism Tuesday over chances of reviving peace talks with the National Democratic Front after the Communist umbrella group refused to extend the truce past Sunday.

He said, however, that the government will seek new talks with regional rebel commanders in six unspecified areas of the country despite opposition from the front’s national leadership.

Guingona said the government identified six regions where local peace talks might be possible and is working on the mechanics of establishing contact with rebel commanders there.

No Optimism on Talks

Asked if he were optimistic about reviving national-level talks, Guingona replied: “No, except it is our understanding that there is a segment or part of their structure which is of the belief that it is best for the revolutionary movement to change to the parliamentary process today.”

The two sides suspended talks Jan. 22, citing death threats. On Jan. 30, the front said it was breaking off negotiations, giving as one main reason the killing by troops of 19 people during a Jan. 22 Manila march for land reform.

Before the truce ended, several regional rebel leaders said they wanted to continue local talks even if national talks broke down. But they withdrew the offers after the front’s national spokesmen broke off negotiations.

Front national spokesman Antonio Zumel on Monday denounced plans for regional talks as divide-and-rule tactics designed “to sow dissension and division” within rebel ranks.

President Corazon Aquino met Tuesday with 18 military delegates, trying to defuse hostility to the government within the factious armed forces.

Colonel Linked to Coup Attempt

The officers included Col. Gregorio Honasan, who was linked to a November coup attempt that led to Juan Ponce Enrile’s being fired as defense minister.

Presidential spokesman Teodoro Benigno said that Aquino listened to their complaints, including pay, and “assured them they were part of the government.”

He quoted her as saying that despite the 1983 assassination of her husband, Benigno Aquino, “I am not prepared to blame the Armed Forces of the Philippines for some actions of misguided elements.”

Her husband was shot while in military custody at Manila International Airport after returning from self-imposed exile in the United States.

“The soldiers assured the president of their loyalty to her and . . . to her mission to prevent Communist insurgents from taking power,” Teodoro Benigno said.