AFP truce with Reds ‘unlikely’ ahead CPP anniversary

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said there will be no suspension of military offensives against the communist armed wing—the New People’s Army (NPA)—despite the upcoming founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on 26 December

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla stated that the military will continue conducting internal security operations in the countryside, particularly in areas still infiltrated by communist rebels.

“Over the years, the CPP has shown that they are anti-development and anti-people. Since the start of this year, we started our operations against seven guerilla fronts and now down to one, and we're well within targets,” Padilla told reporters in an interview.

She noted that more of the military’s accomplishments against the communist rebels will be discussed in the AFP’s upcoming Command Conference, which President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will attend as the country’s Commander-in-Chief.

Padilla did not provide further details about the command conference but assured that all military efforts to sustain peace in the country remain intact.

“But rest assured na tuloy-tuloy tayo (we will continue) with all of our internal security operations for us to sustain the gains that we have,” Padilla said when asked if the AFP would declare a ceasefire against the communist groups.

Padilla said the CPP-NPA’s remaining weakened guerilla front is “no longer capable of staging major operations.”

She also mentioned that the CPP’s “leadership vacuum” might affect its armed wing’s operations.

“They’re also not capable of recruiting anymore into their ranks. So these are the gains that we have, and we intend to sustain these gains. Hindi na sila (They are not) capable of large operations,” she added.

Padilla emphasized that the AFP is always ready for any eventualities.

“Our commanders on the ground, we trust that they are there to really know the situations on the ground, and they will be preparing accordingly,” she said.

The military’s spokesperson also lamented the communists’ efforts to recruit new members.

“It is expected that they will still try to continue doing such. But it is noted that it is already difficult for them to recruit anymore because our countrymen are already awakened about their spread of wrong ideologies,” Padilla stressed.

“As I said, it's part of the weakened state that they have.”

Padilla said the military will also continue monitoring areas already declared insurgency-free.

“Hindi natin ito iiwanan ng lubos para tuloy-tuloy natin ma-sustain (we will not leave it completely so that we can sustain) the gains that we have in those areas and eventually attain a just and lasting peace,” she said.

Padilla assured that the military will remain vigilant against security threats, especially during the holiday season.

She then reiterated the government’s call for the waning communist rebels to surrender to the folds of the law, instead of pushing through with their “senseless” armed struggle.