‘Ready for war’: Army, PRO-6 brace for rebel offensives as CPP marks anniv

From Panay News (Dec 26, 2022): ‘Ready for war’: Army, PRO-6 brace for rebel offensives as CPP marks anniv (By Ruby P. Silubrico)

ILOILO City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) and the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) have ramped up their security plans as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) celebrates its 54th founding anniversary today.

“Dinagdagan natin ang ating deployment at nag-iingat kasi siyempre namatay ang kanilang pinuno na si Jose Maria ‘Joma’ Sison. We are ready for war kung ‘yan ang gusto nila,” said Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3ID.

The CPP usually marks its anniversary with attacks against the police and military, and vital government installations carried out by its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), said Arevalo.

“We have been preparing for this for several months now, that’s why we had several encounters in Panay Island, and especially in Negros. Almost all of the encounters were in our favor,” said Arevalo.

The 3ID commander added that the Army continuously conducts patrols especially in areas deemed rebel-infested.

“Given the chance and the right information from the people, our troops will hit them before they hit us. The troops have been reminded to observe proper security protocols so as not to be victimized by NPA atrocities,” Arevalo said.

On the other hand, Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, PRO-6 director, ordered city and provincial police directors and police station chiefs to intensify their security measures against the rebels’ possible tactical offensives.

“Dapat lahat na available men nakahanda and dapat they have to carry long and short firearms,” Francisco told Panay News yesterday.

He also reminded his men to be wary of the “catch and baits” strategy of the rebels.

“We utilized our force multipliers and advocacy groups in gathering information before doing police response in far flung areas. Pinapa-submit ko sila ng monitoring of reports and updates of their security and safety coverage in their area of assignment,” he added.

Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. placed the Special Action Force (SAF) and all 17 Regional Mobile Force Battalions (RMFB) on high alert.

“(All) SAF and 17 RMFBs nationwide will be placed on the highest alert for any possible tactical engagements and harassments against government forces as the CPP marks its 54th anniversary on Dec. 26, 2022,” Azurin said.

NO CEASEFIRE

The CPP on Dec. 19, 2022 said the NPA would not observe a ceasefire with government troops this holiday season.

The CPP’s central committee, in a statement, said there was “absolutely no reason” this time to declare a ceasefire, since the “regime” of the United States and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and its fascist Armed Forces of the Philippines continue[d] with their relentless state terrorism and armed suppression [of] the Filipino people.”

“The NPA can concentrate [on] a superior force in order to strike the fascist units of the AFP and PNP (Philippine National Police) which are isolated, weak and tired, as a form of punishment for their crimes against the people,” CPP’s public information officer Marco Valbuena said in a statement.

In the past, the military and the NPA would both announce a ceasefire at this time of any given year – even as there were still reported encounters, with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce.

Meanwhile, CPP founder Sison died at 83 years old on Dec. 16, after two weeks of confinement in a hospital in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Sison had lived in self-exile in The Netherlands since then President Corazon Aquino released him from detention in 1986 shortly after the People Power revolt overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos, father and namesake of the current Philippine president.

With Sison gone, Arevalo said, the CPP would continue to deteriorate.

“They will have difficulty coming up with someone to replace Joma Sison,” the 3ID commander added. (With reports from inquirer.net)

https://www.panaynews.net/ready-for-war-army-pro-6-brace-for-rebel-offensives-as-cpp-marks-anniv/