Military resumes pursuit of NPAs in Mindanao

Armed New People’s Army members mark the rebel group’s founding anniversary in this file photo taken in 2009. The military in Mindanao has resumed operations against the rebels following an ambush on militiamen amid a unilateral ceasefire declared by President Rodrigo Duterte. DENNIS JAY SANTOS/INQUIRER MINDANAO

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The military has resumed all operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao, an official said on Sunday.

Major Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC), said the directive was issued after President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the unilateral ceasefire with the NPA on Saturday night.

“Eastern Mindanao Command has issued a directive for all units to be on high alert and to resume operations against the NPAs consistent with the directive coming from the military chain-of-command,” Balagtey said.

Duterte lifted the unilateral ceasefire at 7 p.m Saturday after the National Democratic Front (NDF) failed to meet the 5 p.m. deadline for them to reciprocate the declaration.

READ: Militiaman killed, 4 hurt in NPA ambush in Davao Norte

A clash in Davao del Norte on Wednesday that left one government militiaman dead and four others wounded led to the resumption of military operations.

The Communist Party of the Philippines said it was about to proclaim its own ceasefire on Saturday night but postponed it after Duterte withdrew the government’s ceasefire.

READ: Sison: CPP-NPA-NDF supposed to declare ceasefire at 8 p.m.

Earlier, the NPA through Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, the recently designated spokesman of the National Operational Command, ordered all units and fighters to assume an active defense mode as response to the unilateral ceasefire while the NDF crafted its own ceasefire declaration.
Denying that it disrespected Duterte’s ceasefire, the NPA said that they were acting in self defense when they clashed with government militiamen who allegedly pursued operations against the rebels.
The NPA said that the ambush happened because government militiamen and members of the paramilitary group Alamara were still operating against communist guerrillas.

READ: NPA: We attacked militiamen before they could attack us

Balagtey denied the NPA claim, saying the militiamen were on their way back to camp when attacked.

“The EMC assures our countrymen that it will remain committed to protecting our communities against armed threats and in pursuing peace and development. EMC calls on the NPAs to abandon their armed struggle and instead join the rest of society in attaining true and lasting peace and progress for our country,” said Balagtey. /rga

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