POLICE in Eastern Visayas will remain on full alert status throughout the holiday season despite the declaration of ceasefire between the government and the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
“Based on our experience, we cannot afford to be relaxed. We will continue to be proactive and reactive,” said Colonel Marvin Manuel Pepino, acting deputy regional director for administration of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Eastern Visayas.
Pepino said that their personnel are already in positioned in all areas of convergence round-the-clock, adding that all areas in the region are their priority “to secure the public during this Christmas season.”
“We have already prepared our security operation in order to thwart any attack,” the official said, recalling the December 13 ambush by suspected NPA in Borongan City, Eastern Samar which killed one policeman, three civilians, and injured 11 other people.
Pepino maintained that what they are doing is routinary patrolling and mobilization.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) ordered all its personnel to “observe faithfully” the ceasefire agreement.
“They may however conduct patrols that are intended to secure their bases and camps as well as the communities within their areas of responsibility,” said AFP spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo in a statement.
The temporary truce between government forces and rebels started from December 23 to January 7, 2020.
The ceasefire also coincided with the anniversary of the NPA on December 26. (SunStar Philippines)