MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday announced the suspension of offensive police operations against communists.
PNP deputy chief for operations Director Benjamin Magalong issued the memorandum on the suspension of offensive police operations two days after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
“All units shall refrain from initiating tactical police ops against CNN (CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front of the Philippines),” the memorandum read.
Aside from the compliance to the president’s declaration, the police also followed the move of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to suspend its military operations. The Special Action Force's test missions were likewise suspended with the exception of competency trainings.
Magalong said the suspension of police operations would not cover normal law enforcement operations such as the service of warrants of arrest, search warrant, anti-criminality patrols and establishments of checkpoints.
Reports said the PNP would still demand the release of the four abducted policemen despite the suspension.
“The suspension of police operations shall be without prejudice to actions armed at prosecuting the people and the communities. All units shall implement active and passive measures as necessary to defer and/or prevent the CNN from taking advantage of the suspension,” the memorandum read.
“Recognizing our inherent right to self-defense, all units must remain on guard and maintain a high state of readiness to respond to enemy hostile actions,” it added.
The PNP were also ordered to conduct proactive defensive measures such as security patrols; fortification and strengthening of defensive positions; route security to ensure safe passage of PNP convoys; normal information, documentation, and dissemination effort and liaising activities with the AFP and local agencies; and information drives to all troops to establish strategic considerations and advantage of the suspension.
“All PNP units are enjoined to be vigilant in the performance of their duties to prevent any [untoward] incident as a result of insurgents, hostile action,” the memorandum stated, adding that the suspension shall be observed and respected by all units of PNP.