Ceasefire begins

From the Mindanao Times (Dec 23): Ceasefire begins

Military still on high alert despite suspension of operation

 

MILITARY troops are standing down following the declaration of suspension of military operations (Somo) against the New People’s Army for the celebration of Christmas and New Year.

Spokesperson Capt. Rhyan Batchar said in an interview yesterday that the whole forces will be on the defensive position as they continue with the peace and development outreach program.

President Benigno Aquino III approved last week the declaration of the Somo against the rebels. The ceasefire will start at 12 a.m. today and would end at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2016.

“But we will also support the law enforcement operation of the police,“ he said.

Batchar said they will raise their alert status on the suspension of offensives, as the troops are prepared for any eventuality “because we cannot predict the NPA’s mind.“

In a separate interview, Davao City Police Office spokesperson, Chief Insp. Milgrace C. Driz, said the police force is also on red alert the rest of the year.

“We will come in during anti-criminality operations, especially if we are going to serve a warrant of arrest on the suspect,” he said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines has already declared ceasefire earlier this month, in support of the calls to resume the stalled peace talks with the government.

The CPP-NDF ceasefire would take effect starting today until Jan. 3 next year.

Last year’s ceasefire was marred by the attack on three soldiers at Sitio Barigyan, Barangay Candinuyan, Mabini, Compostela Valley on Dec. 29.

Two soldiers of the Army’s 71st Infantry Battalion and one cafgu were on their way to Barangay Anitapan around 9:45 a.m. on board a motorcycle for a Christmas break when they were ambushed by NPA rebels.

Also last year, two army soldiers captured by the NPA were freed on Dec. 21 during the ceasefire period as a goodwill gesture as the communist guerilla asked for the resumption of the peace talks.

Pfc. Alvin Recante and Cpl. Benjamin Samamo were released by the NPA to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The soldiers were turned over to Duterte who reiterated the call for the resumption of peace talks between the National Democratic Front and the Government of the Philippines.

“Ang ako ani, sige ko ug yawyaw i-resume ang peace talks. Dugay na man gud kaayo na! Wala’y malipay nga Pilipino, mupatay ug kapwa Pilipino (I have repeatedly called for the resumption of the peace talks. This has taken so long. No Filipino is happy killing a fellow Filipino),” he said during a brief turover ceremony in Montevista, Compostela Valley.

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