CPP slams AFP offensives

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 21): CPP slams AFP offensives

The Communist Party of the Philippines slammed the military in Negros for allegedly waging offensives against the New People’s Army, despite the ceasefire, citing the recent encounter in Brgy. Magballo, Kabankalan City.

The CPP said in a statement it issued that it is apparent that the AFP leadership is completely oblivious to the state of calamity and difficulties being experienced by the people of Negros.

The two successive encounters between the 47th Infantry Battalion and about 25 NPA members, that lasted for 10 minutes, caused injuries to a member of the Philippine Army, who is now in a stable condition.

It also claimed that NPA units in Negros, including those that figured in an armed encounter with 47th IB, have gone on active defense mode to extend assistance to calamity victims, in line with the ceasefire declaration issued by the CPP from November 14 to Nov. 24.

“If they are for the people, they (CPP-NPA) should stop the disasters that they are creating on the people”, Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, who supervises the internal security operations in Negros Occidental, said.

The CPP said “it is apparent that the Aquino regime does not want to reciprocate issuance of a ceasefire declaration because it does not want the AFP to cease its offensives against the NPA in the vain hope of meeting the targets of its Oplan Bayanihan war of suppression against the people”.

It said the ceasefire declaration, that covers NPA units in typhoon-hit regions, including Negros island, will remain in effect until Nov. 24. The declarations directs concerned units of the NPA to concentrate on the immediate task of assisting typhoon victims to carry out rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. The CPP also cautioned NPA fighters against hostile movements of the AFP.

While the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process acknowledged the CPP-NPA 10-day ceasefire in typhoon-affected areas, it said it will need more than a token suspension of armed hostilities in a limited area.

“We therefore urge the CPP to extend a humanitarian ceasefire indefinitely and nationwide, and join the rest of the country in mobilizing all necessary resources in a human chain of service to our people,” the OPPAP said.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/November/21/topstory10.htm