Reds’ activities this holiday season monitored: AFP chief

AFP chief-of-staff, Gen. Gilbert Gapay. (PNA File photo)

MANILA – The activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) this holiday season is monitored by military intelligence units, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen. Gilbert Gapay, said Tuesday.

“Our intelligence community is closely monitoring their actions. They have planned really to conduct atrocities in different parts of the country, particularly (against our) vulnerable, remote communities,” Gapay said in an online briefing Tuesday.

They plan to conduct extortion and recruitment, he said, noting the threat to security forces, especially those deployed to remote detachments.

“Talagang pinagpaplanuhan nila ‘yan (They are really making plans.) They are just waiting (for an) opportune time to (launch their attack),” Gapay added.

He said due to the dwindling ranks of the NPA, it is unlikely that the communist-terrorists would be able to hold a “plenum” or large meeting during the CPP’s founding anniversary on December 26.

In previous years, the CPP-NPA has always been vocal on its websites about holding a plenum and its agenda, Gapay said.

He, however, assured that troops would be guarding communities to ensure Filipinos have a meaningful and peaceful Christmas celebration.

Earlier, the CPP urged all NPA units to conduct secret meetings to mark its 52nd founding on December 26.

The communist-terrorists also said they would continue with their harassments during the holiday season since the AFP did not declare a ceasefire this year.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.