Communist party accuses gov’t of violating own ceasefire

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The Communist Party of the Philippines has accused the Aquino government of violating its 18-day ceasefire starting Dec. 16.

In a statement issued during the celebration of its 43rd anniversary on Monday, the CPP said the military had not ceased from conducting offensives at all.

In Surigao del Sur, the CPP said, on the day that Malacañang’s ceasefire was to have taken effect, soldiers from the 36th Infantry Battalion arrived in Barangay Mabuhay in Tandag City and occupied the village hall there.

“The residents were hoping that the (soldiers) would be withdrawn with Aquino’s ceasefire declaration,” the CPP said.

Col. Leopoldo Galon, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the soldiers were there as part of a pursuit operation against bandits.

Galon also said no violation of the government ceasefire had occurred because there had been no offensive launched against the New People’s Army since Dec. 16.

“Only aggressive combat operation against them is a violation of our unilaterally declared SOMO,” he said.

The CPP said troop movements were also monitored in Abra, Rizal and Isabela.

In Abra, two truckloads of soldiers belonging to the 50th IB, occupied Sitio Sagsagod in Barangay Saccaang in Sallapadan on December 21 while another platoon occupied Barangays Palaquio and Tabiog in the municipality of Bucay, the CPP said.

In Rizal, NPA units reported that armed troops of the 16th, 59th and 76th IB continued to launch offensive military operations in the towns of Jala-jala, Pililia, Tanay, Baras, Rodriguez and Antipolo City “under the guise of conducting peace and development operations,” the CPP said.