By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Police Regional Office-18 (PRO-18) remains on heightened alert status, despite the resumption of peace talks, next month, between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
PRO-18 Director, Police Chief Superintendent Renato Gumban, said they received instructions from the directorate of operations from their national headquarters in Camp Crame to continue their offensive operations against communist rebels in the Negros Island Region (NIR).
“There is no official ceasefire yet,” Gumban said.
He added the government peace panel is still in the preparatory stage of studying the ceasefire and, as long as there is no official communication, both the police and the army will continue their offensives.
Earlier, Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division commander, Major General Jon Aying, said their offensives against the CPP-NPA will continue.
However, Aying said they are welcoming the announcement of the resumption of peace talks, adding, “It is only fools or those not in the right sense of mind who would reject the peace process.”
The Philippine Army currently estimates around 200 CPP-NPA members operating in NIR./WDJ