(UPDATED) All units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been placed on full alert Tuesday, December 26, in anticipation of possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) in time for the 49th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
“The AFP is on full alert and vigilant for possible CPP-NPA attacks on our people and vulnerable communities,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Edgard Arevalo said.
“Their celebration is usually accompanied by armed attacks against the people that reflects the CPP-NPA’s true color as a criminal organization void of any ideology,” he added.
In Central Visayas, the police is also on full alert.
"We have reminded our people on the ground to be vigilant," said Senior Superintendent Angelito Dumangeng, the regional chief of directorial Staff of the Police Regional Office.
"They (police officers) should not lower their guards down to prevent any atrocities," he added.
Senior Superintendent Jonathan Cabal, the regional intelligence chief, said their operations against communist rebels who have pending warrants of arrest will continue.
"Lawful exercise lang namin yun," he said.
Police caught suspected NPA member Jonathan Lacadman around 12:10 p.m. Sunday, December 24, in Barangay Poblacion, Dumanjug, Cebu.
Lacadman, 26, allegedly took part in the ambush-slay of seven police officers, including Superintendent Arnel Arpon, in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental last July 21.
Cabal described the communist insurgents in Negros Oriental as "quite active" and they should be "accounted for the criminal acts" they have done. (
"We cannot deny again the reality na may mga nare-recruit din doon sa Negros Oriental at Negros Occidental," he said.
The CPP and its armed wing, the NPA, have both been tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as terrorists.
Arevalo urged the members of the terrorist group to “take a good look” at their organization and reflect deeply on their future.
He urged members of the CPP and NPA to return to the fold of the law, stay with their families and become productive citizens.
Arevalo said although they abide by the cessation of military operations against the NPA as declared by Duterte for the Christmas season, the AFP will maintain active defense posture in all its units to thwart any atrocities, deception and sabotage that the CPP-NPA may be planning to stage as part of their celebration.
The PNP earlier placed all its units nationwide on full alert in anticipation of the possible attacks by the NPA rebels.
The unilateral ceasefire declared by the government will last until 11:59 p.m. of December 26 while that of the NPA will hold only until 6 p.m. of the same day.
Another ceasefire will be implemented by the government from 6 p.m. of December 30 to 11:59 p.m. of January 2 while the NPA has also declared a ceasefire from 6:00 p.m. of December 30 to 6:00 p.m. of January 2, 2018. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines, Kevin A. Lagunda/SunStar Cebu)