Gov’t troops ready as CPP orders NPA to launch attacks
DAVAO CITY – The Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) placed all units on high alert after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) directed the New People's Army (NPA) to launch attacks in response to the extension of martial law.
In a statement, the CPP called on the NPA “to mount tactical offensives across the country in response to the extension of martial law in Mindanao.”
“All NPA units must exert all possible effort to punish the worst fascist units and officers of the AFP who have committed grave crimes against the people,” it added.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the threat is not new. “With or without any order from the CPP-NPA, they have been hitting us,” Lorenzana said.
"Our troops are always ready to face them," he added.
PRO 11 regional director Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales directed all units to be aggressive against terrorism and to shift their posturing from defense to offensive.
Morales said the police
should double their efforts in launching attacks against local insurgents by mobilizing the barangay information network (BIN) and other intelligence sources in the community.
“This terrorist group wants to regain and establish their existence, but the PNP stations and units under PRO 11 will not be demoralized and will not lower our guards," he said.
Morales said the order to launch attacks was made after Congress on Wednesday approved President Rodrigo Duterte's request to extend martial law for the third time in Mindanao for another year until December 31, 2019 to quell the rebellion.
Morales said PRO11 is expecting something big as the CPP-NPA’s anniversary approaches. "But the PNP is already preparing for it as we fortify our community defenses and step up 'target-hardening measures' against the NPA, the armed wing of the CPP," he said.
Morales also appealed to the Dabawenyos to act together to end the long suffering from "senseless war and unnecessary loss of lives."
"The cooperation and participation of the community with the PNP will help attain the peace and order in the region,” he said.
Excuses
Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the CPPNPA “are only making excuses to further their real intention to launch attacks and disturbance."
Arevalo recalled that even when there was still an ongoing ceasefire between the AFP and the Reds, the CPP-NPA continued its attacks against soldiers on humanitarian mission, extortion activities and putting pressure on business establishments/businessmen, burning of farm and construction equipment.
These atrocities, Arevalo said were the reasons why President Duterte cancelled the peace talks.
“And they have this what they call Unilateral Ceasefire which they declared this Christmas," he added.
“However we are not ignoring those kind of threats. We advise our troops to be more cautious of such attacks," he added.
Arevalo said the AFP is on highest alert status not because of that threat, but in assisting the PNP in case they need the military's help.