Police on guard, Army in defensive mode after NPA’s termination of unilateral ceasefire

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 31): Police on guard, Army in defensive mode after NPA’s termination of unilateral ceasefire

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will continue to enforce laws while the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) will take a defensive approach against the New People’s Army (NPA) following the latter’s announcement terminating its unilateral ceasefire effective February 10.

Police Regional Office (PRO) XI Director Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan told reporters during the AFP-PNP Press Corps on Wednesday, they will take action on any violation of the laws such as extortion, abduction, arson. But he warned all units to be on the lookout for groupings of armed men.

Gaerlan also alerted all police stations for possible attacks by the rebels in their areas of responsibility.

He has also warned all police units in the region of the possible breakdown of the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) following the NPA's announcement on the termination of the unilateral ceasefire it declared on Aug. 28, 2016.

Unless there is a new order from President Rodrigo Duterte, the Eastmincom will heed the call from the Department of National Defense (DND) to continue enforcing the government’s unilateral ceasefire.

“If the CPP-NPA will terminate or stop their unilateral ceasefire it is up to them. It will not affect the AFP,” Eastmincom said in a statement released to the media by Eastmincom spokesperson Maj. Ezra Balagtey on Wednesday.

“Our troops will not actively operate against the NPA while our ceasefire is in effect. However, it will continue to maintain peace and order and run after lawless elements whoever they are,” the statement said.

In an interview, Balagtey said they have never recognized any areas under NPA control nor are they allowed to roam around with their firearms intimidating people,” he said.

On Wednesday morning, Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, spokesperson of the NPA announced they are terminating the unilateral ceasefire declared on Aug. 28, 2016 by the Central Committee Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and National Operations Command New People’s Army (NPA).

Ka Oris, in a statement, said the Negotiating Panel of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) will be notified of the termination by the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front (NDFP).

With this declaration and notice, he said will effectively expire on 11:59 p.m. of February 10. Among the reasons Ka Oris cited are the non-compliance on the amnesty and release all political prisoners under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees; alleged encroachment on the territory of the people’s democratic government when the armed force occupied at least 500 barrios within their territory.

Ka Oris however said that even with the termination of the unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire, they continue to support the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations within the framework of The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=960093