But truce will not lure military into complacency–Porto
The 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army has assured residents of Western Visayas the military will remain alert despite the 19-day ceasefire declared by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army which starts today.
“(We will not) let the SOMO (suspension of offensive military operations) take us into a false sense of security and lure us into complacency,” said Maj. General Vicente Porto, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.
The recent attack in Catubig, Samar, which killed 10 soldiers, and the raid in a resort in Tapaz, Capiz this week are proofs of their intent to conduct tactical offensives before the SOMO or in celebration of the CPP’s anniversary (on December 26) , Porto added.
First Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas, 3rd ID spokesman, said the raid on Marugo Mountain Resort in Tapaz could have been meant to provoke the military to see how they would react two days before the SOMO takes effect.
“SOMO prevents us from conducting offensive operations against the NPA and this incident suggests that they will take advantage of this limitation by continuing to attack and harass civilians,” he said.
With the attacks before the SOMO, Posadas questioned the commitment of the NPA to their own declaration of ceasefire.
“Does the CPP leadership still have full control over the NPA or have they splintered into their own loose band of thieves and murderers?” he asked.
Nevertheless, Posadas said he is expecting that the SOMO will pave the way for peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front, CPP-NPA’s political arm.*
