Año orders PNP to stop operations vs communists

March 19, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to end all on-oing and planned offensive police operations against rebels in all parts of the country following President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire against the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

In a statement, Año said the unilateral ceasefire will take effect on March 19 to April 15.

“With the said declaration, I hereby direct the Philippine National Police (PNP) to terminate all on-going and planned offensive police operations against the Communist Terrorist Groups in all parts of the country and, instead, focus all efforts to stop the spread of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19),” he said.

Año said the PNP  shall strictly implement the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon and the prohibition of mass gatherings and other anti-COVID measures in other parts of the country.

The PNP will also  maintain a defensive stance in all of its counter-terrorism undertakings.

“Active defense operations shall only be undertaken in the face of clear and imminent danger and actual armed attack by hostile forces,” he said.

“The PNP must direct all its efforts in ensuring peace and order in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, including the task of securing entry and exit points, ensuring that people abide by the quarantine and social distancing measures; and assisting local government units in their anti-COVID-19 programs, among others,” he added.

In a separate statement, PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said they will suspend all tactical police operations against  communist rebels.

“All national, regional, provincial and district police maneuver units engaged in internal security operations have been placed on defensive posture and have shifted operations to disaster response and public safety mode to enforce the enhanced Luzon-wide community quarantine to contain the spread of COVID-19 upon the government’s declaration of a national state of calamity,” Gamboa said.

Gamboa said the cessation of police offensive operations against the CPP-NPA will allow PNP maneuver units to be fully used for quarantine control and general public safety operations to ensure swift and immediate assistance to patients and persons under investigation and monitoring (PUI/PUM), including military and police personnel; and the unimpeded movement of health workers, medical supplies, and other humanitarian assistance; including the movement of medical and food products; and consumer goods to the local market 

“With a ceasefire notwithstanding, PNP units are instructed to maintain defensive vigilance against possible hostile actions by armed threat groups to which appropriate police response is authorized under the Police Operational Procedures,” he said.

“We remain hopeful that the CPP-NPA-NDF will reciprocate the government’s gesture good faith in the interest of public welfare and peace,” he added.

Gamboa said the Directorate for Operations has disseminated  the instructions to all PNP units nationwide particularly in the Luzon regions for strict implementation and the PNP Command Center will monitor compliance of all PNP units to this directive.

The CPP has yet to announce their declaration of unilateral ceasefire. Ella Dionisio/DMS