Military not raising alert as NPA marks 43rd anniversary

MANILA, Philippines—With the New People’s Army anniversary in two days, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Tuesday it will not raise its alert to full status but will maintain vigilance and intensify its intelligence monitoring efforts in strategic parts of the country.

In a statement, military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa has given the unified commanders all over the country the discretion to raise their alert level depending on the security assessment in their area.

“Even though there is no need to raise our security alert level, we will still maintain our security, and Intel monitoring operations to support the PNP in thwarting possible threats which may be initiated by lawless groups against our peace-loving citizens,” Dellosa said.

“We encourage all stakeholders, especially the people to be more vigilant and observant of suspicious activities by individuals who might be members of criminal groups and immediately report to the authorities when they see one,” he said.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, normally launches a series of attacks ahead of its anniversary. It will mark its 43rd year on March 29.

On Monday alone, there were two reported clashes with the communist rebels in Iloilo and Catanduanes.

In Catanduanes, an Army private was killed in an ambush by the rebels in Barangay Balatohan in San Miguel. The soldier died while covering fire to protect his fellow soldiers.

Meanwhile, in Iloilo, three soldiers and two civilians were wounded after they were ambushed by the communist guerrillas in a remote village in Tubungan.

Last year, the AFP said that a total of 43 NPA-related armed violence (29 guerrilla operations, and 14 terrorist activities) occurred a month before its anniversary. These resulted in the death of 15 security forces. Meanwhile, 12 NPA members and seven civilians were also killed.

On the actual day of the celebration last year, two attacks by the rebels were reported in Compostela Valley and Negros Occidental. A 14-year-old civilian was killed in the Negros Oriental incident.

Burgos said the NPA strength has decreased by 7.8 percent by the end of 2011. From 4,384 guerrilla members, the Maoist armed group now has 4,043 fighters.