NPA, NDF accuse AFP of ceasefire violations

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The spokesmen of both the New People’s Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) accused the military here of violating the ceasefire agreement which ended on Jan 7, 2020.

NDF-Negros spokesperson Bayani Obrero and Ka Juanito Magbanua, Apolinario Gatmaitan Command Negros spokesperson, claimed unabated military operations amid the holiday truce.

In a statement issued on Jan. 8, 2020, the two rebel leaders said the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) declared reciprocal unilateral ceasefire from Dec 23, 2019 until Jan 7, 2020 to build favorable grounds for the resumption of peace talks,

However, the NDF in Negros received reports of continuing violations by the AFP.

Obrero said this “manifests the dubious sincerity of the Duterte regime regarding peace talks resumptions.”

“Because the fascist elements of the state carry on implementing combat operations in communities especially in the mountainous areas of the peasants to persistently spread terror, threats and harm on the Negrosanons,” Obrero added.

The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command of the New People’s Army (AGC-NPA) Regional Operational Command in Negros listed several violations of the AFP’s ceasefire order.

“This simply shows that Duterte has no control over his bloodthirsty and warmongering dogs in the military and police,” said Ka Juanito Magbanua of the AGC-NPA.

From December 23, 2019 to January 7, 2020, the NPA monitored movement and operations of troops under the Army’s 303rd Brigade in Negros Island:

1. December 24, 2019 – Brgy. Mansablay, Isabela, Negros Occidental; 1 RIO truck full of 62nd IB troops
2. December 27, 2019 – Sitio Kuyawyaw, Brgy. Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental; 21 troops of the 62nd IB
3. December 27, 2019 – Sitio Oway-oway and Sitio Binataan, Brgy. Quinten Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental; 21 troops of the 62nd IB
4. December 27, 2019 – Sitio Tibobong, Brgy. Quinten Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental; 30 troops of the 62nd IB
5. December 28, 2019 – Sitio Tiyos, Brgy. Quinten Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occiental; 33 troops of the 62nd IB
6. December 30, 2019 – Sitio Saisi, Brgy. Tan-awan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental; 62nd IB troops
7. December 31, 2019 – Sitio Bayi, Sitio Cande-is and Sitio Ulitaw, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental; 62nd IB troops
8. December 31, 2019 – Sitio Tanquinto and Hacienda Amparo, Brgy. Mabini, Escalante City, Negros Occidental; 20 troops of the 79th IB headed by Maj. Tupaz
9. January 1-3, 2020 – Sitio Pisok, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental; 62nd IB troops
10. January 3, 2020 – Sitio Brodjen, Brgy. Malasibog, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, 14 troops of the 79th IB
11. January 6, 2020 – Brgy. Paitan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental; 40 troops of the 79th IB

Apart from these recorded incidents, there were also reports of troop movement and operations of the 11th IB under the 302nd Brigade and the PNP at Brgy. Talalac in Sta. Catalina and other municipalities of the 3rd district of Negros Oriental.

“On the other hand, NPA units in Negros Island firmly followed and adhered to the ceasefire order of the CPP Central Committee and the NPA National Operational Command,” Magbanua said.

Magbanua said the NPA remained in active defense mode against the AFP.

The AGC-NPA congratulated all NPA guerrilla fronts and the entire revolutionary forces in Negros for successfully holding celebrations during the 51st anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines despite massive military operations in the Island.

“The NPA Negros Regional Operational Command is resolute and strong in its position for the resumption of peace talks but we remain prepared and on guard against counterrevolutionary schemes of the fascist troops of the state and their imperialist masters,” Magbanua said.