As the unilateral declaration of suspension of military operations concludes before midnight, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) shall remain on alert, especially after a foiled attack by communist rebels in Camarines Sur last Friday.
Malacañang issued the statement Sunday following reports that 10 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) broke the 12-day holiday truce and launched a deliberate yet unsuccessful attack against the military amid the New Year observance.
Citing an account from the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the rebels fired on at least eight soldiers and six members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Barangay Scout Fuentebella, Goa, Camarines Sur.
“Walang naiulat na nasaktan sa ating puwersa at ilang armas at gamit mula sa NPA ang iniulat na nakuha ng SOLCOM sa lugar na pinangyarihan,” the Palace official added in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan.
The AFP opted not to pursue any immediate offensive action in honor of the ceasefire proclamation, Coloma said, but the soldiers are keeping their eyes peeled to secure the public in light of the incident.
“Sa kabila ng engkuwentro patuloy na tumatalima ang buong hukbong sandatahan sa umiiral na unilateral declaration of Suspension of Military Operations na nakatakdang magtapos mamayang bago mag-hatinggabi (11:59 p.m. of January 3),” Coloma said.
“Patuloy na nakatutok at alerto ang ating Sandatahang Lakas dahil pangunahing layunin nila, kabilang na rin ang ating Pambansang Kapulisan, ang pangangalaga sa seguridad, katahimikan at kaayusan ng ating mga komunidad at mga mamamayan,” he added. (PCOO/PND)
