Joma Sison has no more control over NPA, AFP says after soldier killed amid ceasefire

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison cannot enforce the holiday ceasefire with the government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday.

Two attacks allegedly perpetrated by CPP’s armed wing the New People's Army (NPA) were reported Monday in two provinces on the first day of the holiday ceasefire between government and communist forces.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV, Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said communist leaders like Sison already lost control over NPA members.

“Nasa kanila po ‘yan kung papaano nila ipapaliwanag. Pero malinaw sa amin dito… 'yung mga leader na sinasabi nila katulad ni Jose Maria Sison, wala na po silang control sa kanilang tauhan sa baba,” he said.

On Monday, a platoon of soldiers pulling out from the field was fired upon by alleged armed communists in Barangay Baay, Labo town in Camarines Norte.

The attackers reportedly opened fire and lobbed an alleged improvised explosive device at the government troops, killing one soldier and injuring six others.

Meanwhile in Tubungan, Iloilo, state security forces onboard a patrol vehicle was also ambushed by suspected communist rebels. Two cops were injured.

The police officers were also pulling out from the area, pursuant to the unilateral and reciprocal ceasefire declared by the government, when a landmine was detonated in Barangay Singon.

Arevalo said that even during the previous ceasefires, NPA members were defiant and disobeyed their leaders and continued to attack state forces.

“Noong mga nagdaang ceasefire at peace negotiations, sinasabi nilang tigil putukan. Subalit ang tauhan nila, sige pa rin po ang pag-ambush sa ating mga sundalo,” he said.

Arevalo said the violation against the ceasefire was already formally reported to President Rodrigo Duterte through Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News