Yule truce takes effect today

Troops in the frontlines will maintain their positions even as the Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) against the communist New People’s Army (NPA) takes effect today, the military said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said troops are under orders to remain vigilant since there are other armed groups that might take advantage of the SOMO.

Torres said part of the directive issued by the military leadership to the troops is to ensure that they have enough forces to address any security situation that might arise during the holidays.

“We will see to it that we have at least 75 percent personnel fill up in our units during the Christmas season to ensure that there would be no security vacuum,” he said.

Torres urged the rebels to respect the unilateral truce by the government in the spirit of the holidays.

The AFP had earlier recommended the four-day SOMO, taking a break in the offensive against the NPA.

The SOMO takes effect today until Dec. 25, as troops would also have to be prepared for the 40th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines a day after Christmas.

The truce is shorter than the three-week SOMO in 2007, and will cover only the NPA, and not the Muslim rebels.

Malacañang declared the SOMO on Monday, which would take effect on Dec. 24 to 25 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 next year.