Operations vs Reds to continue

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will continue its operations against rebels even as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has declared a unilateral ceasefire for the holidays.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said the police force would “not fall for the antics” of the CPP, its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) and its political arm National Democratic Front (NDF). 

“The PNP will remain on alert and continue with our regular law enforcement and internal security operations in response to the unilateral declaration of a ceasefire by the CPP-NPA-NDF,” he said in a statement. 

Durana downplayed the ceasefire declaration of the CPP, saying the communist group cannot be trusted with their 50-year-old obsolete ideology and bloody history.

“They cannot appeal to people’s emotions and festive mood with their guns tucked behind their backs,” he said in a statement.

The PNP’s move mirrors the action to be taken by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which said it would not recommend a suspension of military operations during the holidays.

The arrest of Rey Claro Casambre and his wife Cora virtually closes the door to any possibility of resuming the peace negotiations with the Duterte administration, the NDF said yesterday.

In a statement posted on the their website, NDF peace negotiating panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili added that to ensure the resumption of the talks with the NDF, CPP and NPA, the authorities must release the peace consultants.

“As was done to the other arrested NDF consultants, the arresting team planted firearms, ammunition and explosives in the Casambres’ vehicle to ensure their prolonged and unjust detention,” Agcaoili claimed.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Rhodina Villanueva, Artemio Dumlao