Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Friday the military forces would be extra vigilant in preparation for possible attacks by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which will celebrate its 52nd founding anniversary on December 26.
He added the military would continue its operations against CPP rebels after President Rodrigo announced Monday that there would be no ceasefire between the government and the communist rebels until the end is term in 2022.
“Walang pagbabago, medyo paigtingin lang siguro nang konti iyan habang papalapit iyong anibersaryo ng CPP-NPA-NDF sa 26 December,” the Cabinet official said at the Laging Handa briefing.
“Gumagawa sila ng mga karahasan para siguro ipakita sa lahat ng tao na sila ay nandiyan pa; hindi pa sila nawawala.”
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed Duterte’s decision, with the military accusing the communist rebels of violating the ceasefire’s terms.
AFP also claimed that rebels only use the peace negotiations to recruit new members.
According to CPP’s information officer Marco Valbuena, CPP’s Central Committee has yet to decide on the ceasefire for the Christmas season.
Valbuena said the decision would “likely come a week before the holidays.”
Military extra vigilant as CPP’s 52nd founding anniversary nears
“Duterte’s declaration that there will be no more ceasefires with the revolutionary movement comes as no surprise. His government’s policies have always been shaped by military generals who are obsessed with prolonging the civil war,” Valbuena said.
Yesterday, a police officer died after alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) ambushed a patrol car in Marabut, Samar. NPA is the armed wing of CPP.
According to reports, the victims were identified as Cpl. Earl Hembra and detainee Nestor Lumagpas Jr.
According to Lt. Fernando Calabria Jr., Marabut town police chief, the police car was heading back to the station when several shooters ambushed them in Logero village at about 12:56 p.m.
The government identified some areas in Basey and Marabut as a priority for its counter-insurgency campaign due to some communist rebels’ sightings.
The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines listed CPP-NPA as a terrorist group.