NPA goes on active defense as PH Army stands down

From InterAksyon (Feb 26): NPA goes on active defense as PH Army stands down

The national operational command of the New People's Army (NPA) released a statement Tuesday indicating that they will stay on "active defensive mode" while waiting the final declaration of cease fire from the Communist Party of he Philippines (CPP) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

"Under the direction of the CPP, the National Operational Command of the NPA (NPA-NOC) orders all territorial and unit commands of the NPA, including all units of the people's militias, to stay on active defense mode as we welcome the unilateral cease fire declaration yesterday by GRP President Rodrigo Duterte and await its operational details," said Ka Oris, Spokesperson, NPA-NOC.

Ka Oris or Jorge Madlos, explained the rationale of the order to all its units.

"By staying on active defense mode, the NPA prepares for a reciprocal unilateral cease fire declaration by the CPP and the NDFP, to be issued soon as a boost for the upcoming NDFP-GRP peace talks. An exchange of unilateral cease fire declarations will be one of the first items in the resumption of NDFP-GRP peace talks scheduled for August 20-27 with the aim of making these unilateral declarations effective," said Ka Oris.

The statement further added that "the NPA and all revolutionary forces will closely observe how President Duterte's declaration is carried out by the AFP and whether there will be a clear termination of military operations and offensives being carried out under the US-designed Oplan Bayanihan counter-insurgency war of suppression."

"As of this [Tuesday] morning, reports from the field indicate that units of the AFP have remained stationed in communities but have yet to withdraw from their offensive operations in Isabela, Cagayan, Bulacan, Quezon and Batangas, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Samar, Surigao, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and other provinces," he added.

The statement of Ka Oris was collaborated by the Ka Sandara Sidlakan, spokesperson of the NPA's Guerilla Front 21 in Surigao del Sur.

"I haven't seen yet the statement of Ka Oris, but, so far, here in our area, we haven't seen any significant changes. Our teams have still observed several Community Organizing for Peace and Development (COPD) operations under the guise of Bayanihan activities in the area, which the army is denying as a military operation. But these so-called peaceful development teams in full military uniforms are fully armed when they go to the hinterland communities," said Ka Sandara.

Captain Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesman of the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army explained that the order has been given out, but the pullout could not be carried out so fast.

"We will practice caution as we pull out our troops from the area, it is not like a magical moment when, in the blink of an eye we automatically withdraw all our operating troops from the far flung areas. The NPA is not the only threat group in the area. There are many lawless elements, and we cannot let our guard down just like that as we move out. But, rest assured we will follow the order of our commander in chief," said Martinez.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander of the 4th Infantry Division, was quick to release a statement saying that "there will be no military operations against the NPA. However, we will continue peripheral prophylactic patrols to ensure the security of our troops and facilities. Likewise, this does not stop us from responding to terrorist attacks of NPAs targeting civilian and government facilities."

Madrigal added: "We will continue our support to law enforcement operations of the Philippine National Police, conduct checkpoints, secure vital installations and support to Bayanihan activities that are jointly undertaken by all stakeholders to help improve living conditions."
http://interaksyon.com/article/130796/npa-goes-on-active-defense-as-ph-army-stands-down