Military apprehensive over NPA truce

From the Mindanao Examiner (Mar 27): Military apprehensive over NPA truce

The Philippine military on Tuesday expressed apprehension over the suspension by the New People’s Army of attacks against military targets over the holy week and security officials branded the action as a “desperate attempt” by rebels to gain moral ground.

The order to suspend rebel attacks coincided with celebration of the NPA’s 50^th anniversary, but a military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Garcia said the unusual declaration by the NPA is another ploy to deceive security forces, the Duterte government, and especially the people “so that the government will be forced to declare SOMO in order for them to reconstitute forces, recruit new members, extort money, and rest from the unceasing focused military operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).”

“This is a desperate attempt of the NPA to gain the moral high-ground by seizing the opportunity to paint religiosity in their organization while the basic principle of Communism by which their fake revolution is anchored, does not believe in God and reject religion. The NPA anniversary which is usually marked by violent attacks against government forces and atrocities against the people incidentally falls within the holy week this year,” Garcia said.

He said the NPA truce is suspicious. “Whatever the decision of the political leadership, the AFP will follow legally mandated orders. Rest assured that our troops will continue to monitor and conduct appropriate security measures to protect the people and vulnerable communities,” Garcia said.

The 6^th Infantry Division also said that at least 81 NPA supporters from the Dulangan Manobo tribe surrendered to the military in Sultan Kudarat province. “The effort of the military to convince our brothers and sisters to turn their backs from the terrorist group is clear manifestation we should promote peace,” said Major General Arnel dela Vega. “History has taught us that no issues can be resolved by any form of armed struggle but rather win the peace than go to war.”

Dela Vega said the tribesmen had supported the rebels for 2 years until their surrender following a combined focused military operation and government reintegration efforts. The rebels have been fighting for decades now in an effort to put up a separate state in the country.

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