After President Rodrigo Duterte earlier declared a unilateral ceasefire until April 15, including the suspension of offensive military operations against the New People’s Army (NPA), amid ongoing concerns surrounding the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19, local military officials announced their compliance with the government and called out the insurgent group for recently conducting attacks.
“We are one with the government and the people’s desire to end the spread of Covid-19 [and] we will abide by the order of our commander-in-chief,” explained Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB) commander, Army Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte. “But, if the Communist NPA terrorists continue their evildoing, we will use all our might to protect the people and country.”
The NPA reportedly harassed the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit active auxiliary detachment in Guihulngan City’s Barangay Sandayao last Thursday. According to Philippine Army 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, Lt. Colonel Melvin Flores, the NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command initiated the harassment which was later thwarted by troops, forcing the rebels to flee towards the said neighborhood’s Sitio Palinion.
“The Communist NPA terrorists still continue to do terror attacks in our communities.” Pasaporte added. “It clearly shows how [traitorous] and evil they are.”/WDJ