ILOILO CITY — The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) will ignore a unilateral ceasefire declared by communist rebels, maintaining full-scale operations throughout the holiday season, a military spokesperson said Tuesday.
Capt. Jessie Jun Ebalan, chief of the 3ID Public Affairs Office, said the division is on heightened alert and will not honor any pronouncements made by what the government classifies as “communist terrorist groups” (CTG).
“We do not consider their declaration and any pronouncements,” Ebalan said. “The 3rd Infantry Division will continue with our operations to protect our communities, especially those in the far-flung barangays.”
The military’s stance follows a history of alleged ceasefire violations by the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Ebalan cited that past declarations were frequently broken by rebel activities that endangered both troops and civilians.
The 3ID’s position aligns with the broader Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) policy as Ebalan stressed that government security operations are not dictated by the statements of armed groups.
“Our foremost concern is to maintain peace and security and to stop them from using the holiday season as an opportunity to regroup, rearm, or engage in activities that endanger the public,” Ebalan said.
Defense officials have dismissed the rebels’ ceasefire announcement as a strategic move to maintain political relevance. Military intelligence continues to monitor the group ahead of its founding anniversary on 26 December.
While the Army reports that rebel fronts in Panay have been dismantled and their numbers significantly reduced over the last two years, Ebalan said the 3ID remains focused on tracking down remaining elements to “totally eradicate” the presence of the NPA in the region.