By LITO RULONA, Correspondent
THE police and military are preparing to launch joint operations against New People’s Army rebels in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and some hinterland barangays in the city in time for the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 49th anniversary next week.
The military said the Dec. 26 CPP anniversary could become bloody given the Duterte administration’s position against a Yuletide ceasefire following the recommendation of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Camp Alagar spokesman Supt. Lemuel Gonda said the police and the military would deploy troops to areas in the region that have been identified as areas where the NPA actively operates.
“We anticipate that during their anniversary, they (rebels) would attack, and so we would operate ahead of them. We see this as a measure to deter any rebel attack on vital installations,” Gonda said.
He said government forces could overrun rebel hideouts and camps in the region during the joint operations.
Gonda also said the government is prepared to even launch airstrikes against the NPA.
Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, 4th Infantry Division spokesman, said a ceasefire declaration by the government would allow the consolidation of rebel forces in the hinterland barangays.
Martinez said previous ceasefire declarations were marred by NPA attacks.
He said the NPA would be treated like what the Duterte administration declared it to be: a terrorist organization.
“We will do whatever our mandate is. That is our objective. This is a stern warning,” Martinez said.
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