Govt declares 18-day Xmas truce

From InterAksyon (Dec 15): Govt declares 18-day Xmas truce

The government on Saturday declared an 18-day suspension of offensive military operations, or SOMO, against communist rebels. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines announced today (Saturday) its Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) that will last from December 16 to January 2, as declared by AFP commander-in-chief and President Benigno Aquino III,” General Jessie Dellosa, AFP chief of staff, said. He said the SOMO is meant to demonstrate the military’s commitment, sincerity and resolve for peace in the face of the continuing armed conflict.

The Communist Party of the Philippines has yet to declare its own nationwide ceasefire for the holidays, although the National Democratic Front in Mindanao had earlier declared a truce from December 5 to January 3 in areas devastated by typhoon “Pablo” and ordered the New People’s Army in these places to help victims of the deadly storm, which has left more than 900 dead and about as many still missing.

AFP spokesman Colonel Arnuflo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said military activities in support of “peace, development and humanitarian programs” are not covered by the SOMO. At the same time, he said, “the AFP will maintain its security patrols aimed at protecting civilian communities, government and private establishments, and military camps and detachments; route security and checkpoint operations for protection of civilian movements and preemption of firearms proliferation; Bayanihan Teams’ conduct of peace and development activities; and other civil military operations.” He added that military units are under orders to guard against the rebels’ exploiting the SOMO to mount attacks.

Last year, the military accused the NPA of killing five soldiers during the holiday truce.“We hope that the past transgressions and violations committed by the rebels that stained the holidays with violence will not happen again this year. We know fully well the importance of ceasefires in the quest for peace as proven by the successful signing of the Bangsamoro Peace Framework Agreement,” Dellosa said.

Earlier, the military claimed the Mindanao rebels violated their own truce by attacking troops on a humanitarian mission in Davao del Norte. The NPA was also accused of attempting to kill Private First Class Lito Mansaluon and kidnapping his two daughters in Sitio Danao, Barangay Gupitan in San Isidro town last Sunday. The military said Mansaluon had lost his home in the typhoon and was headed to his detachment with his daughters when allegedly waylaid by rebels.

However, the NPA’s Davao-Agusan Command denied the accusation. A statement from the rebel command said members of Guerrilla Front 34 Operations Command were helping repair houses damaged in the storm when a motorcycle with a man, a woman and two children passed by. “The driver suddenly stopped, alighted, and left the two children and the woman as he ran away,” prompting the guerrillas to chase him “for about two to three kilometers.”The statement said the pursuing rebels realized the man was a soldier when he hurled a grenade at them. “In defense, the Red fighters fired three shots. The man threw them a grenade the second time, hitting and seriously injuring one Red fighter,” the statement said. Other guerrillas “attended to the three civilians who were left behind” and turned them over to the wife of the purok chairman four hours later,” it added.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50497/govt-declares-18-day-xmas-truce