BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Army will not declare a truce with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Occidental during the New Year holidays to prevent the enemy from taking advantage of the situation.
"We have learned our lesson from the past. They just took advantage of it," Col. Michael Samson, acting commander of the Philippine Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade, said on Thursday.
In previous years, the CPP-NPA would continue its recruitment activities and even attack government forces whenever a ceasefire was declared by the government.
Samson said if communist rebels want to spend time with their families in welcoming the New Year, they can come home but should not carry firearms.
"But it's even better that they abandon going to the mountains so they can always be with their families. They can become productive persons and help their communities instead," he added.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental provincial government has directed all city and municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices (DRRMOs) to raise a blue alert status from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2 as a precaution for possible weather disturbance coinciding with the New Year celebrations.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said all DRRMOs will be on a heightened alert level.
"We're all preparing for the festivities that will happen in the New Year. We are hoping and praying that everyone of us will put our safety to mind, as our top priority," he added.
Blue alert status requires 50 percent of concerned personnel to be in their posts at any time.
In a memorandum, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, who is the acting governor until Jan. 3, said there should be continued monitoring and preparedness of all concerned agencies, offices and disaster councils.
"Let us pray, prepare and be pro-active for a resilient and safer Negros Occidental," he added. (PNA)
