PNP to go on offensive after ceasefire with communists ends

January 7, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on offensive mode after the unilateral ceasefire between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines ends on Tuesday, a police official said.

“My directive during the ceasefire is defensive so my directive now is offensive… let’s go after them, don’t let them go to us first,” said Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge,  in a press briefing Tuesday.

The PNP declared a Suspension of Offensive Police Operations (SOPO) against the communist rebels in compliance with the directive of the President Rodrigo Duterte after he declared unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels last December 23.

However, after the declaration, alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked government forces in Camarines Sur and Iloilo.

Gamboa said it will be up to the top executives to decide what to do with the alleged violation of the communist rebels. Ella Dionisio/DMS