Military to conduct intensified operation vs NPA after ceasefire expires

January 7, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will conduct intensified and focused operation against the communist group as soon as the ceasefire lapses on Tuesday night.

"They (rebels) can expect that combat operations shall resume with more intensity and focus as soon as the clock strikes 12 midnight of 08 Jan 2020 without the need for orders from the new AFP Chief Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos, Jr.," said Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, Tuesday.  

Citing the incident when the rebels allegedly violated the ceasefire, Arevalo said the truce that was declared from midnight of December 23 to January 7, was actually a loss for the people and the goverment.

"An Army trooper was killed and six others were wounded in Labo, Camarines Norte around 9 am of 23 Dec 2019 when terrorists NPA ambushed soldiers returning to camp in compliance to AFP SOMO ( suspension of military operations). The treachery happened a few hours after the NPA declared their unilateral ceasefire," said Arevalo.

"At about 7:30 am of same date, the terrorist NPA detonated an antipersonnel mine they laid for the policemen in Tubungan, Iloilo. Two lawmen were wounded and the police car was severely damaged," he said.

"They (people) were not able to merrily and peacefully celebrate the Yuletide Peace deal as intended by government’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire," he added.

Arevalo said the military also recorded three atrocities by the rebels during the truce. 

"Terrorist NPA launched SPARU ( Special Partisan Unit) operations against civilians in 30 December 2019," he said.

"Soldiers thwarted the attack thereby neutralizing two and wounding two from the attackers. However, a soldier and a CAFGU Active  Auxiliary were wounded in action," he added.

Arevalo said the rebels killed two tribal leaders in two separate incidents during the ceasefire.

They were Bontola Mansinugdan of the Higaynon Tribe in Esperanza, Agusan Sur on January  1 2020, and the killing in cold blood of Umayamnon Tribe leader Sammy Diwangan in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on Jan 4 2020.

Arevalo said the AFP are not inclined to recommend any national level truce with rebels until and unless they abandon armed struggle.

"While the AFP gives primacy to peace process and will submit to the guidance of Commander-in-Chief, we are for localized peace talks given its success owing to the NTF ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict )," he said.

Arevalo said a total of 10,918 rebels were neutralized in 2019. They were  killed in armed encounters, surrendered, or apprehended.

"A total of 1,860 firearms were seized or surrendered," he said. Robina Asido/DMS