- Advertisement -

By NITZ ARANCON
and LITO RULONA
Correspondents

CAMP Evangelista yesterday raised the alert level in this part of the country following President Duterte’s withdrawal of his unilateral ceasefire declaration over the weekend.

- Advertisement -

Maj. Gen. Banjamin Madrigal, 4th Infantry Division commander, ordered troops in the region to go on red alert against the New People’s Army (NPA).

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, Camp Evangelista spokesman, said Madrigal gave out the order during a command conference with the Division’s key officials and commanders.

But there was no order from Madrigal to launch offensive operations, Martinez said.

“All that he said is, we are on red alert status and continue protecting civilians,” said Martinez.

After Duterte declared the unilateral ceasefire Monday last week, Madrigal ordered troops to return to their barracks. But by weekend, Duterte withdrew it.

At Camp Alagar, police director for northern Mindanao Chief Supt. Noel Constantino order officers across northern Mindanao to resume combat operations in the region.

Supt. Surki Sereñas, police spokesman for the region, said the combat operations would not cease until they receive an order from Camp Crame to stop.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) frowned over the lifting of the unilateral ceasefire order, saying it would likely impact on local peace efforts.

IFI Bishop Felixberto Calang told local radio said local peace negotiations between Misamis Oriental officials and leaders of the National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (NDF-NPA) in eastern and northern Mindanao have been scheduled on Aug. 20.

“Nabalaka ta tungod kay the issuance of a ceasefire order was a confidence-building measure. Kung gibakwi ang declaration, this will surely affect the scheduled peace talks karong bulana,” he said.

Calang said he was still hopeful that the Aug. 20 talks would materialize in Misamis Oriental and Oslo from Aug. 20 to Aug. 27.

“Hatagan unta nato og tsansa ang peace talks aron mahatagan og saysay atong panawagan sa kalinaw sa atong lugar,” he said.

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -