PNP goes on full alert after CPP-NPA-NDF ends ceasefire

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday said it is now on full alert as ordered by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año after the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front ended its ceasefire with the government amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The 205,000 strong PNP under the command of Police General Archie Francisco F Gamboa is now on full alert and is ready and able to defend the country against any atrocities of this communist terrorist group," it said.

"The PNP Chief also condemns this act by the CPP-NPA-NDF as it endangers government response to overcome the pandemic," the PNP added.

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said the police force will continue to implement the strict quarantine measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic even as it will pursue the Reds.

“On top of our duty to implement strict quarantine measures to stop the spread of this pandemic, the PNP assures Filipinos that your police and military are united  behind our Commander-in-Chief President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to enforce our mandate to uphold public safety against this communist terrorist group,” Banac said.

“As government condemns this rebellion by the CPP-NPA-NDF as a threat to public safety amid the pandemic; we will continue to uphold the imposition of ECQ in high-risk areas and GCQ in the rest of the country from May 1 to May 15, 2020 based on government guidelines,” said Banac.

The government first declared a ceasefire on March 19, while the Reds declared a ceasefire on March 26.

However, there have been clashes between government troops and the NPA in Negros Occidental, Davao Oriental, and Masbate.

The NPA is also suspected of taking relief goods in Northern and Eastern Samar intended for residents. —KG, GMA News