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[av_heading heading=’ Will Reds uphold unilateral truce? ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Western Visayas is on alert. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is marking its 48th founding anniversary on Dec. 26.
Soldiers under the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) in Western Visayas are on “active defense”, said its commander, Major General Jon Aying.
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of military operations only on Christmas Day and New Year.
“All our military forces are on high alert…we continue with our heightened security operations,” said Aying.
Any move that would jeopardize peace and order won’t come from government troops, he assured Ilonggos.
Founded on Dec. 26, 1968, the CPP aims to overthrow the government through armed revolution. Its guiding ideology is Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.
“We won’t attack threat forces far away from becoming imminent or clear and present danger to people, facilities, vital installations and government forces,” said Aying.
But should the rebels attack, “we will not hesitate to fight back. We stick to our dictum that the best defense is still offense.”
The military’s unilateral ceasefire is from 6 p.m. on Dec. 23 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 26, and from 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 2. This is similar to the CPP’s.
“During this period, all New People’s Army (NPA) units and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns and operations against the uniformed armed personnel of the AFP and its paramilitaries, and the Philippine National Police,” said Ka Oris, spokesperson of the NPA.
The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP.
Personnel of the AFP and PNP “who have no serious liabilities other than their membership in their armed units” shall not be subjected to arrest or punitive actions, according to Ka Oris.
“They may be allowed individually to enter the territory of the people’s democratic government to make personal visits to relatives and friends,” he added.
In Metro Manila, Armed Forces chief of staff General Rey Leonardo Guerrero expressed optimism that the CPP would be true to its unilateral ceasefire declaration.
According to Ka Oris, all NPA units shall maintain a high degree of alertness and preparation “against any hostile actions or movements by enemy armed forces, similar to what transpired during the six-month unilateral ceasefires last year wherein the AFP occupied and deployed troops in at least 500 barrios nationwide, committing numerous human rights violations against civilians and their communities.”
President Duterte previously said he was not keen on declaring a Christmas truce with the communists due to the rebels’ continued attacks against state security forces.
However, the President said early Wednesday that if ever he declared a holiday truce, it would be out of consideration for the well-being of the Filipino people.
“Look, if I declare a ceasefire, it is not addressed to the NPA. Rather, I would want to celebrate Christmas with the rest of humankind or Filipinos na walang stress,” he said in a media interview. “Baka sabihin nila walang ceasefire ngayon, baka magkaputukan then you put a lot of strain on the people.”
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process called the President’s decision to declare a unilateral ceasefire “a bold step.”
“It is a clear indication of his unwavering desire to bring sustainable and durable peace in the land despite the cancellation of the peace negotiations,” said Secretary Jesus Dureza./PN
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