AFP: No security threats monitored this Christmas season so far

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it has not monitored any security threats so far in the country this Christmas season.

“We have not seen any threat yet so far,” military spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

According to Aguilar, the capability of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has already been weakened, making the rebel group incapable of executing attacks.

He added that the AFP will support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in conducting security operations during the holiday season.

“Now in the conduct of security operations, what we will do is to provide our support to the PNP because they are the lead effort when it comes to security operations and preparations during [the] Yuletide season,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aguilar said there are 154 barangays that are still affected by communist armed conflict.

Aguilar said the AFP is working on focused military operations to clear the remaining affected areas.

“We are also intensifying our conduct of community support programs in those areas so we can bring in the right intervention that will address the root cause of the conflict,” he added.

On Tuesday, Aguilar said the AFP ruled out declaring a ceasefire with the CPP–New People's Army (NPA) for the Christmas season.

“Ceasefire is ruled out because of leadership vacuum within the CPP after the neutralization of many of its top leaders,” Medel earlier told GMA News Online in a message.

“With only five active guerilla fronts, the insurgents' capability to mount terrorism has been significantly degraded," he added. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News