Army on alert in N. Mindanao, Caraga ahead of CPP anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 25, 2024): Army on alert in N. Mindanao, Caraga ahead of CPP anniversary (By Nef Luczon)

The troops of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division. (File photo courtesy of 4ID)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) has intensified monitoring efforts and troop readiness in Northern Mindanao and the Caraga regions as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) prepares to mark its 56th founding anniversary on Dec. 26.

Lt. Col. Francisco Garello Jr., 4ID’s public affairs chief, said Wednesday that while no guerrilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA) remain in the two regions, troops are on high alert for any potential activity during the anniversary period.

“We have intensified our monitoring, and we are conducting focused military operations to ensure safety and security during the yuletide celebrations,” Garello said.

The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP, while the National Democratic Front of the Philippines serves as its political arm.

Garello described the remaining NPA forces in the 4ID’s jurisdiction as “remnants in survival mode,” no longer organized into platoons.

“They are always on the run, they are highly mobile because we have deployed more troops to track down and pursue these remnants,” he said.

The division’s brigades, battalions, and special forces remain committed to aggressive operations against the remaining rebels, Garello added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1240572