Military resumes operations against communist guerrillas

THE Armed Forces resumed operations against the New People’s Army after the government’s Yuletide truce came to an end on Tuesday.

“The AFP will resume focused military operations after the ‘Somo’ (suspension of military operations) lapsed. All ground units will pursue NPA members who violated their own ceasefire declaration by attacking government troops and harrassing civilian communities,” said Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo.

The military implemented a unilateral ceasefire during the Yuletide that started 6 pm of Dec. 23, 2017 to 6 pm of Dec. 26, 2017; and then again at 6 pm Dec. 30, 2017 until 11:59 pm on Jan. 2, 2018.

The ceasefire was mirrored by the NPA but some of its units opted to attack military units in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, the military said.

He said the military units would resume pro-active combat measures nationwide to protect vulnerable communities from armed threats and deceptions of the NPA.

“Our non-combat efforts on assisting other line government agencies on infrastructure development and community health engagements will continue,” Arevalo said.

The military earlier accused the NPA of violating its own Christmas truce when rebels attacked military positions and personnel in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

“The NPA’s harassment of a military patrol base on Dec. 25,2017 and attempted abduction of CAA (militia) member on Dec. 26, 2017 are clear violations of their own declaration,” Arevalo said.

He said the attacks showed the NPA’s “duplicity and deception,” as it says one thing while doing the opposite.

“Such treacherous attacks are expected of the NPA despite their ceasefire declaration since they have, for the longest time, lost their ideological mooring and resorted to actions reflective of a terrorist organization,” he added. (pna)