ILOILO City — The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) reported no untoward incidents in Western Visayas during the December 25 to 26 period covered by the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army’s (CPP-NPA) unilateral holiday ceasefire.
The ceasefire, ordered by the CPP Central Committee on December 15, marked the first phase of the group’s two-part truce for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Captain Jessie Jun Ebalan, chief of the 3ID Division Public Affairs Office, said military units maintained close monitoring across Panay Island but did not observe any NPA-related activities or celebrations.
“So far, we have not monitored any celebration on their part here in Panay. We are continuously monitoring, but as of now, there were no incidents recorded,” Ebalan said.
Despite the calm situation, Ebalan emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) does not recognize the ceasefire declaration and has not suspended military operations.
“On our part in the 3rd Infantry Division, we do not favor their ceasefire pronouncement. Our operations continue with or without their declaration because that is our mandate — to protect our communities and secure our people,” he said.
Ebalan stressed that the military remains on high alert during the holiday season, citing the armed group’s track record.
“Based on records from the past, they themselves violated their own ceasefire declarations. These announcements have often been used as opportunities to regroup, plan, and recover losses,” he said, adding that the military views such declarations as propaganda.
He said heightened vigilance is being maintained to prevent harm to both civilians and troops.
Ebalan also said there was no justification for celebrations by the armed group, citing past incidents.
“As we know from previous years, what they brought were atrocities. They did not bring help, improvement, or development to the areas where they operated,” he said, adding that the military instead remembers the victims of NPA attacks.
“We choose to remember the victims of their atrocities as a reminder that they must be held accountable — from the past until the present,” he added.
Ebalan said intelligence gathering and security operations remain intensified, particularly in far-flung barangays as well as urban and rural areas.
“We are on continuous monitoring related to their anniversary and activities. Our troops remain deployed and alert even during the holidays to ensure the safety of our communities,” he said.
The CPP-NPA’s holiday ceasefire is set to resume from December 31, 2025 to January 1, 2026. The 3ID said it will continue to closely assess developments during the remaining ceasefire period while sustaining regular security operations across Western Visayas./PN
