NPA rejects ceasefire

The New People’s Army (NPA) rejected yesterday the military’s three-year ceasefire proposal and vowed to mount more attacks as government forces observed a unilateral three-week Christmas truce.

In a statement, Gregorio Rosal, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman, said the NPA’s killing of three Marines in Palawan Sunday shattered the peace pretensions of President Arroyo and Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

“General Esperon’s proposal for a three-year ceasefire is totally ridiculous and downright dubious,” he said.

“Carrying out more frequent and widespread tactical offensives against weak enemy armed forces is a most effective way of defeating the continuing campaigns of suppression of the (armed forces).”

Esperon said the military will stick to a unilateral Christmas ceasefire, although troops will hunt down the NPA rebels who killed the three Marines.

While ground commanders would not order an assault under the ceasefire, they can however conduct an “immediate offensive” if they detect rebel formations about to attack civilian communities, he added.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said troops can defend themselves in running after those who had ambushed the three unarmed Marines who were their way to market in San Vicente town in Palawan.

“I’ll leave that to the chief of staff to deal with, but I think it must be dealt with, if there’s hot pursuit, I don’t think that’s included in the ceasefire,” he said.

In Negros, the island’s military has assured that government troops will strictly abide by the 21-day holiday truce with the NPA.

However, Col. Honorato delos Reyes, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the Army will be on alert as they observe the 21-day Yuletide unilateral ceasefire.

Regular patrols will be continued, but there will be no tactical offensives until Jan. 6, he added.– James Mananghaya, Antonieta Lopez