DAVAO CITY — After President Duterte’s declaration of unilateral ceasefire on Monday, the New People’s Army ordered all of its units to maintain an active defense mode on Tuesday afternoon.

Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, the recently designated spokesperson of the NPA National Operational Command, called the move an initial response to Duterte’s ceasefire declaration.

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“Under the direction of the CPP, the National Operational Command of the New People’s Army (NPA-NOC) orders all territorial and unit commands of the NPA, including all units of the people’s militias, to stay on active defense mode as we welcome the unilateral ceasefire declaration yesterday by GRP President Rodrigo Duterte and await its operational details,” Madlos said.

Madlos said that this order would remain while they wait for the reciprocal ceasefire declaration of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the one negotiating for peace with the Philippine government.

“By staying on active defense mode, the NPA prepares for a reciprocal unilateral ceasefire declaration by the CPP and the NDFP to be issued soon as a boost for the upcoming NDFP-GRP peace talks. An exchange of unilateral ceasefire declarations will be one of the first items in the resumption of NDFP-GRP peace talks scheduled for August 20-27 with the aim of making these unilateral declarations effective,” Madlos said.

The NPA leader, however, said that they would closely monitor how the government forces would observe Duterte’s ceasefire order.

“The NPA and all revolutionary forces will closely observe how President Duterte’s declaration is carried out by the AFP and whether there will be a clear termination of military operations and offensives being carried out under the US-designed Oplan Bayanihan counter-insurgency war of suppression,” Madlos said.

He said the NPA has received reports that many military units have been staying put in many communities all over the country a day after the ceasefire.

“As of this morning, reports from the field indicate that units of the AFP have remained stationed in communities and have yet to withdraw from their offensive operations in Isabela, Cagayan, Bulacan, Quezon and Batangas, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Samar, Surigao, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and other provinces,” Madlos said.

“In light of the GRP ceasefire declaration, the people seek the immediate withdrawal of operating troops, which have been conducting psy-war and surveillance operations in communities and reconnaissance and search-and-destroy operations inside the guerrilla zones and base areas of the NPA,” the NPA leader added.

Madlos said that the active defense order would put the NPA on constant alert status as defense against possible violations of the ceasefire order.

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“By staying on active defense, the NPA must remain ever alert to AFP offensive military operations, including reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence operations, patrols and search-and-destroy operations, as well as psy-war operations and suppression campaigns against civilians and communities in the guise of “peace and development” Oplan Bayanihan operations,” Madlos said.

Madlos explained that it would continue its work including the arrest of individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.

“Until otherwise specified in further orders, the NPA will continue with its outstanding work of defending the rural communities and the environment. It will have to be vigilant and defend against the military offensives of the AFP, PNP and their paramilitary vigilante groups. It will continue to arrest and disarm big drug traffickers and police and military protectors and operators. The NPA will continue to conduct educational, political and cultural campaigns to mobilize the people to assert their rights and advance their struggle for genuine land reform,” Madlos remarked. SFM

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