Army on alert as ceasefire ends

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jan 16): Army on alert as ceasefire ends

The Army's 3 rd Infantry Division has placed its troops on alert status, following resumption of its internal peace and security operations, as its synchronized ceasefire with the New People's Army ended yesterday. Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, 3ID commander, however, said they will continue to support the effort of the region for nation-building through deployment of the Army's “Bayanihan” teams, in the countryside.

Their alertness is also in line with the May 13 elections, he added. Mabanta also reminded government troops in Negros and Panay to strictly adhere to existing regulations pertaining to firearms control program and actively and diligently participate in ensuring honest and orderly elections.

The military has not monitored any violation during the month-long ceasefire in Negros island, that started Dec. 20 last year, and ended yesterday. Capt. Ryan Joseph Cayton, deputy 3ID Public Affairs Division chief, yesterday said two self-confessed amazons, Joecel Labanza and Precy Ortiz, both medical officers of the NPA in Panay and Rizal province, as well as Leo Glorian, finance and logistic officer, surrendered to an intelligence unit of 3ID in Capiz.

Mabanta, meanwhile, reminded government troops to exert effort in denying hostile actions the NPA may initiate, and help local government units and other stakeholders in the delivery of basic social services to the people of Western Visayas, unhampered.

Through the Regional Joint Security Control Center and the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center in different provinces of Negros and Panay, he said the 3ID will continually support and augment forces to the Philippine National Police with the guidance of the Commission on Elections, in order to ensure safe and clean elections here in the region.

Mabanta added that to they are now continually conducting information dissemination and awareness among their personnel on COMELEC resolutions that cover lectures on proper conduct of checkpoints, implementation of gun ban and liquor ban, and duties as Deputy of the Commission.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/January/16/topstory9.htm