Military on alert after end of peace talks with Reds

FILE: Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla (PNA Photo)

MANILA — All military units were ordered to keep a tight watch against the movement and possible attacks of rebels following the cancellation of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

“We have already provided guidance to our units to be vigilant, stay alert pertaining to the movements of the NPA,” AFP spokesperson, Maj.

Gen. Restituto Padilla, said late Friday.

He was responding to a question on whether all military units in the country were placed on red alert following President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 360, signed Nov. 23, ordering the termination of all peace negotiations and meetings with the CPP-NPA-NDF, following atrocities committed by the rebels against civilians and security forces.

Padilla said the AFP will certainly respond should the NPAs decide to attack and harass communities in the countryside.

“The AFP will continue to perform its mandate, whether you categorize our movements and military ops or offensives or what have you. They are part and parcel of our mandate,” he said.