• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) will continue its focus operations against remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros and Panay during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
This developed as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), a political wing of the NPA, will observe a four-day ceasefire in observance of the CPP’s 57th founding anniversary on Dec. 26 and the yuletide season celebrations.
Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, 3ID commander, however, dismissed the ceasefire declaration as a mere propaganda.
The 3ID supervises security operations against rebel remnants in Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, and Central Visayas.
In a statement released on Dec. 15, the CPP Central Committee said it ordered all NPA units to suspend offensive actions from 12 a.m. on Dec. 25 until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 26, and from 12 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2025 until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2026.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rejected the unilateral ceasefire declared by the CPP-NPA, stressing that government security operations are not dictated by unilateral declarations from armed groups.
“Military responsibilities are continuous and are not subject to unilateral pronouncements by armed groups,” AFP public affairs office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said.
“In close coordination with other law enforcement agencies, the AFP will continue lawful security operations to ensure peace and order and prevent armed groups from exploiting the situation to regroup, rearm, or threaten public safety,” he added. | GB
