The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have assured stiffer vigilance on Christmas Day despite the ceasefire declaration by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army's (NPA).
Interviewed during DZRH Stories on Sunday, Dec. 24, AFP Spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said that the AFP will maintain its 24/7 commitment during the Christmas season.
Aguilar strong said that they are disregarding the two-day ceasefire declared by the CPP-NPA as their leadership is getting weaker.
"Buti naman at nag-declare sila, pero hindi na namin pinapansin iyan kasi sa tingin namin it is an empty statement actually. Una, halos durog na rin sila, pero meron pa rin natitira,” he said.
On Saturday, Dec. 23, the CPP-NPA declared a ceasefire to commemorate the CPP’s 55th anniversary, starting at 12:01 midnight on Dec. 25 and ending at 11:59 PM on Dec. 26.
“So kapag sinabi nating weakened, personal strength is mababa, armalets ay mababa, and most especially, hindi na sila nakakapagsagawa ng kanilang fundraising activities and dati nilang ginagawang recruitment activity,” he explained.
“Wala na halos leadership, durog na rin. May leadership vacuum; we don’t even know kung yung natitira pa nilang leader ay may control pa sa ibaba,” Aguillar added.
The AFP Spokesperson said that ceasefire declaration was only the communist group's way to make the public aware of their existence.
