Security forces on high alert even during holidays: Esperon

FILE: National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. explains the importance of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 during a media briefing at the Asian Theater, PIA Building in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City on Monday (June 15, 2020). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – The military and police forces remain on high alert even during the holidays to quell possible security threats posed by the communist rebels and other lawless elements, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Wednesday.

In a Laging Handa briefing aired on PTV-4 Wednesday, Esperon said the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are on red alert and ready to thwart attempts to sow violence during the Christmas season.

“Kung meron mang banta ang CPP-NPA eh ano ba ang bago, dati naman silang nandiyan na, meron na mga armas. Kung may gagawin silang kaguluhan ay nakahanda ang atin mga tropa (What’s new, they have been there for a long time and they have weapons. If they would be creating trouble, our troops are ready for that),” Esperon said in a Laging Handa briefing aired on PTV-4 Wednesday.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) earlier urged its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), to conduct secret meetings to mark its 52nd founding on December 26.

It said they would continue with their offensives during the holidays since the AFP did not declare a ceasefire this year.

The military is not inclined to recommend any holiday truce with the communist terrorists, saying the CPP-NPA has been demonstrating insincerity in previous agreements.

In a public address last December 8, President Rodrigo Duterte declared as “dead” the ceasefire with the communist rebels.

He said he was forced to walk away from “peace talks” after the CPP and its political wing, the National Democratic Front, asked for the formation of a “coalition government”.