WESCOM on guard vs CPP-NPA anniversary celebration despite ceasefire

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 26): WESCOM on guard vs CPP-NPA anniversary celebration despite ceasefire

The Western Command (WESCOM) Headquarters in Palawan is keeping a tight watch against the celebration of the 45th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) despite an existing ceasefire.

1st Lt. Cherryl Tindog said that they are on alert all over Palawan following orders from Gen. Roy Deveraturda, the new commander of WESCOM, and the higher Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP) command.

She said it was to ensure that no untoward incident will be conducted by any party to harm residents of the province and breach the 26-day suspension of military operations (SOMO) that Malacañang ordered shortly before Christmas.

Tindog said that while on alert, the military has been ordered to only take a defensive stance against the leftist enemies, and maintain security of the province against any other lawless activities that might be committed by any unscrupulous group or individual during the holiday break.

The order to be on alert came following the attack of members of the communist-terrorist movement on two government forces units in Sorsogon and Quezon provinces.

In Palawan, members of the CPP-NPA have been known to stage roadside ambushes in the northern part of the province, particularly in the town of Taytay.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=599879