AFP on full alert as CPP celebrates 49th anniversary

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it has placed its units nationwide on full alert for possible attacks by communist rebels as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) celebrates its 49th anniversary.

“The AFP is on full alert and vigilant for possible CPP-NPA attacks on our people and vulnerable communities,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Edgard Arevalo said.

Arevalo insisted that the CPP-NPA’s actions reflect that of a terrorist organization than what it claims to be.

He called on the communist group members to take a good look at their organization and reflect deeply so that they may be able to decide to come back into the fold of the law, be with their families, and become productive citizens of the community.

Arevalo, meanwhile, said that the AFP will remain in an active defense posture as President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a holiday ceasefire.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) had also said it has placed all its units on alert against possible hostilities by the communists.

Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, chief of the PNP's Directorate for Operations, said all police units should initiate countermeasures against the possible NPA attacks before the CPP anniversary.

"Offense is always better than defense. Preventive and prophylactic combat patrols in coordination with the AFP should be launched in addition to target hardening of all camps and vital installations,” he said.

The CPP has also declared a holiday ceasefire, from 6 p.m. of December 23 to 6 p.m. of December 26 and from 6 p.m. December 30 to 6 p.m. of Jan. 2, 2018.

The government's declared holiday ceasefire, meanwhile, is longer -- from 6 p.m. of December 23 to 11:59 p.m. of December 26 to 6 p.m. of December 30 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 2, 2018. —ALG, GMA News