No recorded skirmish between gov't troops, rebels since declaration of ceasefire

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27): No recorded skirmish between gov't troops, rebels since declaration of ceasefire

Since the declaration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of a unilateral ceasefire and suspension-of-military-offensive (SOMO) on Monday, there were no recorded skirmish or fighting incidents between AFP personnel and New People's Army rebels.

This was confirmed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in an interview Wednesday.

"Since the declaration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (of the unilateral ceasefire last Monday) and SOMO, there has been no recorded skirmish between the two sides," he added.

President Duterte declared the unilateral ceasefire against the NPAs during his first State-Of-the-Nation-Address on Monday afternoon with the AFP's declaration of a SOMO to follow shortly.

Padilla said the lack of fighting between the two parties "are good signs" and hopes it will continue until formal opening of peacetalks this coming Aug. 20.

"AFP chief-of-staff Ricardo Visaya directs all Commanders of Unified Commands, Major Services, and AFP-Wide Service Support Units to observe (the) SOMO against the CPP-NPA-NDF effective July 25," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo earlier said.

"The SOMO covers the cessation of all military offensives against the CPP-NPA-NDF particularly its armed group the New People's Army including the conduct of combat maneuvers that may be construed as provocative acts that may be deemed violative of the SOMO," Visaya's order read.

Despite the SOMO, Arevalo said the military will continue to perform its mandate of protecting the communities and its people from terrorist groups, secure and protect from attacks or sabotage vital government facilities, military camps, infrastructures, and projects.

"The AFP shall likewise continue to support law enforcement operations to help ensure unhampered flow of social, cultural, religious, political, and economic activities of the people and the delivery by the LGUs, LGAs, and NGOs to the communities," it stressed.

Arevalo said the AFP leadership will exhaust all efforts to support Duterte's peace initiatives with the rebel group to attain an enduring peace and sustained development for our country's prosperity.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=907867