By Cindy Ferrer/PNA
ILOILO CITY — Troops of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) will remain in offensive mode despite the announcement of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for a unilateral ceasefire during parts of the Christmas holidays.
Lt. Col. Sisenando Magbalot Jr., commanding officer of the 61IB, in an interview Monday said that the declaration of the communist movement for the ceasefire is apparently just a “deception”, noting the recent incident in Arakan, North Cotabato, where members of NPA harassed a banana plantation and fired rifle grenades, which injured six security guards.
“We do not believe that they will not do any atrocity during the period that they declare the ceasefire. Our operations will continue even on Christmas and New Year and our soldiers are ready. If there is a need to cut short their vacation, so be it,” Magbalot said.
The communist movement declared a five-day unilateral ceasefire for the Yuletide season.
The ceasefire will begin at 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 24 until 11:59 p.m. of Dec. 26, and on 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 31 to 11:59 p.m. of January 1, 2019.
Magbalot said they will not allow the communist movement here to celebrate their 50th anniversary come December 26.
“We will not give them the chance to celebrate the 50 years of atrocities that they are doing and terroristic activities,” he said.
Magbalot said that Panay Island has more or less 150 remaining NPA members.
However, there are also around 10-15 active members who already surrendered to them from January until November this year. There are also around 54 of their support system or “militia ng bayan” members who surrendered this year.
Magbalot encouraged other members of the NPA, who are tired of the armed struggle, to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
