CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 has raised its alert status after the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army announced that it is terminating the unilateral ceasefire with the government forces effective February 10.
PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño said he already alerted his men in the field.
"Yes 'yung ating mga police units hanggang sa baba ay ina alerto natin ang mga to at pina-conduct nang security survey don sa kani-kanilang areas para kung sa ganun kung may mga plano man ang CPP-NPA naka ready na sila, specifically those units na nasa field, nasa labas, nasa bundok," Taliño said.
Governor Hilario Davide III said the province is not also letting its guard down even if there is no insurgency problem in Cebu.
"Di ta ma-alarma because as far as Cebu is concerned it is still insurgency free, but we cannot let our guards down. Magbantay lang gihapon ta," Davide said.
He said the province will remain vigilant as these communists might take advantage of the situation to mobilize its people to different provinces.
"I'm confident dili sila moari sa Cebu. Our Armed Forces of the Philippines is also very watchful ani nila. Our law enforcement agencies want to ensure that our province is free from insurgents and communists," he said.
Davide said insurgents in Cebu have decreased over time due to progress.
"What is left are remnants of CPP, ilang mga supporters who are farmers but unarmed. We like to keep it that way. Wa man pud na nato sila pasagdi. We are attending (to their plight). They are part of the community in the mountain barangays. They've been receiving financial assistance from the provincial government through the financial assistance we extend to the barangays," he added.
The CPP through its armed wing, NPA, announced that the unilateral ceasefire it declared on August 28, 2016 will be over on February 10.
NPA spokesman Jorge Madlos alias Ka Oris said the government negotiating panel would be given notice of the termination of ceasefire by the National Democratic Front, the umbrella organization of the CPP-NPA negotiating peace with the government.
Madlos cited the government's refusal to release the political prisoners and the military's "encroachment" to their territories as reasons for the termination of the ceasefire.
The rebel group accused the government of failing to comply with its obligation to amnesty and release all political prisoners under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.
The termination of the ceasefire came just days after the government and the NDF negotiating panels concluded their third round of talks in Rome. (FREEMAN)