Operations vs NPA to resume once holiday ceasfire ends – DND

Military combat operations against the communist New People's Army would resume midnight Wednesday, when the unilateral holiday ceasefire government had declared would end, a defense official said.

“Effective 12:00 a.m. simula na. As far as the rules of engagement are concerned, when the ceasefire lapses tonight at 11:59 p.m., then that automatically means that we will resume offensive combat operations unless the commander in chief (President Rodrigo Duterte) orders otherwise,” Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong explained on Tuesday.

The government's declared holiday ceasefires lasted from 6 p.m. of December 23 to 11:59 p.m. of December 26, and from 6 p.m. of December 30 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 2, 2018.

The Communist Party of Philippines-New People’s Army has also declared holiday ceasefires: 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.

Andolong said that the government ceasefires were generally successful, though the Armed Forces of the Philippines itself were present a more definitive assessment.

“ Yung mga skirmishes na nangyari, you know that’s always been the case in the past. But I think having a ceasefire is generally good especially for our troops,” the DND spokesperson added.

During ceasefire, servicemen were able to get some rest, despite alleged NPA violations.

In a press statement, AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said all ground units would pursue NPA members who violated their own ceasefire declaration.

“The AFP will resume focused military operations after the SOMO has lapsed. Our soldiers will resume pro-active combat measures nationwide to protect vulnerable communities from armed threats and deceptions of the NPA,” Arevalo added.

Non-combat efforts which assist other line government agencies on infrastructure development and community health engagements would also continue. — DVM, GMA News