Philippine National Police officers . (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has suspended its offensive operations against the Community Party of the Philippines and its military wing, the New People’s Army, following President Duterte’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire against the Maoist insurgents.
The two-page order, signed by Director Benjamin Magalong, deputy chief for operations, mandated all PNP regional offices and other units to “refrain from initiating tactical police operations” against the communist rebels “effective immediately.”
Magalong cited Mr. Duterte’s announcement of the ceasefire with the CPP-NPA during his State of the Nation Address last Monday and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ suspension of military operations against the rebels issued the same day.
PNP public information office head Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, who released the Sopo to the media, said the policemen must remain on alert and ready to respond and defend themselves against possible hostile actions against them.
He said the Sopo would not cover “normal” law enforcement operations such as serving of arrest and search warrants, anticriminality patrols and establishment of checkpoints. All “test missions” of the PNP-Special Action Force shall also be suspended except competency trainings.
“All legal offensives shall proceed. The Sopo shall be without prejudice to actions aimed at protecting the people and the communities,” the order stated.
Magalong also directed all police units to implement active and passive measures as necessary to deter or prevent the communists from taking advantage of the Sopo.
“Recognizing our inherent right to self-defense, all units must remain on-guard and maintain a high state of readiness to enemy hostile actions,” Magalong said.
The police official said the PNP would continue to conduct “pro-active” defense measures such as security patrols to protect police camps and stations, vital government and private installations and police communities.
The fortification and strengthening of defensive positions for the “survivability and protection” of PNP personnel shall continue.
The police shall also secure routes of PNP convoys, government personnel delivering public services, and of the people in general.
“All PNP units are enjoined to be vigilant in the performance of their duties to prevent any untoward incident as a result of insurgents,” Magalong said.
Meanwhile, Carlos said the PNP would negotiate for the release of three policemen and one non-uniformed personnel abducted by suspected communist rebels in Malimono, Surigao del Norte last Sunday.
Carlos said the PNP was verifying reports that one of the abducted lawmen was involved in illegal drug activities.
Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno supported the PNP’s decision to maintain “pro-active defense measures” amid the unilateral ceasefire.