EMC units now on alert in wake of conflicting rebel statements on ceasefire withdrawal

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): EMC units now on alert in wake of conflicting rebel statements on ceasefire withdrawal

With conflicting statements on the New People's Army (NPA) decision to withdraw its unilateral ceasefire, the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) on Thursday has placed all units on alert in wake of possible unprovoked attacks by the insurgents.

EMC head Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero issued the warning amidst the conflicting statements of NPA spokesperson George Madlos alias "Ka Oris" and National Democratic Front (NDF) negotiator Fidel Agcaoili on the termination of their own unilateral ceasefire.

Madlos earlier said the NPA will be withdrawing their ceasefire effective 11:59 PM of Feb. 10, while Agacoili stressed that the unilateral ceasefire is still in place.

Prior the NPA decision to lift its unilateral ceasefire, the insurgents conducted a series of attacks against civilian and military targets in Batangas, Isabela, Bukidnon, Compostela Valley, Sarangani, Agusan Del Norte, and Surigao Del Norte last Jan. 29 and 30.

The unprovoked attacks killed two soldiers and wounded three others and resulted in the abduction of one.

"Always protect the communities including all detachments and camps against enemy attacks," said Guerrero.

"Alert troops for possible attacks. Protect the communities from criminal acts of extortion, burning of equipment, abductions, liquidations and other forms of atrocities," he stressed.

With this development, all EMC units are now on active defense posture.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=960461