GOVERNMENT troops are ready for any attack that may be waged by New People’s Army rebels to mark the 54th foundation anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on December 26.
“The whole Armed Forces of the Philippines is prepared to deal with them if they (communists) push through with their threat,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said in a radio interview.
On Saturday or a day after the death of CPP founding chairman Jose Ma. “Joma” Sison in Netherlands at the age of 83, the CPP declared a 10-day period of mourning. During the mourning period, the CPP said the NPA “can stage tactical offensives against the rampaging fascist forces to defend the people,” implying it would not declare any holiday truce.
The CPP said it was was dedicating its anniversary celebration to Sison’s memory “to celebrate his life and all the victories that we have achieved under his leadership and guidance.” It ordered the NPA to stand in formation at the break of dawn of December 26 and “silently perform a 21-gun salute” to give the highest tribute and farewell to Sison.
On Monday, the CPP said it was not going to declare a ceasefire with government during the holidays and the upcoming CPP anniversary as it authorized the NPA “to launch tactical offensives against the fascist enemy of the people” during the period.
“Units of the NPA can concentrate a superior force against the isolated, weak, and tired units of the AFP and PNP, in order to punish the masterminds and perpetrators of the growing number of fascist crimes,” the CPP said.
Aguilar said the CPP-NPA is still capable of mounting attacks but on a small-scale level.
“Their guerrilla fronts are still capable of conducting underground activities and small-scale tactical offensives. But not large-scale that warrant the concern of the people,” said Aguilar.
Aguilar said the CPP pronouncement about launching attacks during the yuletide season “is a irresponsible statement.”
He expressed hope the communists would not pursue their plan to launch tactical offensives, saying “that will not help our country, that is unacceptable to the people who are clamoring for peace.”
On whether the government will declare a suspension of offensive military operation for the holidays, Aguilar said, “We are waiting for the decision of our national leadership.”
Aguilar said the military is on normal or “white” alert.
Asked about upgrading to “red,” the highest alert level on December 26, Aguilar said, “We will wait for the decision of our leaders.”
‘PALTRY IMAGE’
Sen. Francis Tolentino the CPP will now have a “paltry image” after Sison’s death.
“I’m not saying that they’re more insignificant. It would really make them decrepit in terms of what they have been advocating. Worn out,” Tolentino said in an interview with ANC.
Tolentino said he sympathizes with Sison’s family but said someone should be held accountable for the killings of soldiers and civilians in the “terrorism” being staged by the CPP using its armed wing, the NPA.
He also said Sison’s death should close a “chapter” in the country’s history.
Whoever will replace Sison should heed the call of history that what the Filipinos need right now is peace and progress, he added.
He said the CPP-NPA’s refusal to forge a truce with the government only shows their “archaic, out of date” ideologies and beliefs. — With Raymond Africa
