Soldiers welcome suspension of military ops for the holidays

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 17): Soldiers welcome suspension of military ops for the holidays

CAMP MANUEL YAN, Compostela Valley -- Members of the 10th Infantry Division welcomed the declaration of the suspension of military operation (SOMO) from midnight of December 16 to 1 a.m. on January 3. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said the SOMO is a big relief to residents especially to areas hard hit with the typhoon but with the presence of communist rebels. He said protecting civilian communities will continue to be a top priority even with the Yuletide ceasefire. “We will continue to employ tighter security measures to ensure the safety and security of residents within our areas of responsibility,” Paniza said. He said the soldiers are exerting more effort to look for the missing and to reach out to far-flung barangays which need more assistance in the ongoing relief operation.

Captain Severino David, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command, confirmed receiving an order from higher headquarters about the declaration of SOMO nationwide. He said the SOMO will give more elbow room to the conduct of search, rescue, and retrieval and relief operation in areas hard hit by typhoon Pablo. David said soldiers in areas not affected by the storm will have more time with their families because of the Yuletide ceasefire.

Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., spokes person of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that the 18-day unilateral ceasefire is a privilege given even to rebels to come down and visit their families. He clarified that the SOMO does not restrict the military from doing its security routines, except the conduct of offensive operation against the rebels. He recalled that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) declared a 29-day truce starting December 5 to January 3, 2012 to give way to unhampered delivery of relief assistance to typhoon affected areas. “We can still conduct route security to protect military and civilian movements,” Burgos said, particularly the movement of relief goods and aid missions. He said checkpoint operations will continue in coordination with the police to deter loose firearms and explosives.  “It is proactive defense countermeasures since – first, the AFP is mandated implement law enforcement,” Burgos said. He said that the military is duty bound to enforce the law. Burgos said the enforcement of SOMO also aims for rebels to spend the Christmas season with their families.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381355724551