By Aaron Recuenco

Police forces running after Communist rebels were ordered Monday to stand down after President Duterte approved the Christmas truce with the New People’s Army (NPA).

But Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said he also instructed police commanders to be on defensive mode for possible treacherous attacks that maybe carried out by the Communist rebels.

Gamboa’s order to stop conducting operations against the NPA came a day after President Duterte approved the recommendation of the government peace panel for a holiday truce from December 23 to January 7 next year.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) earlier declared a unilateral Christmas ceasefire that will be implemented if the government would reciprocate.

Gamboa said that while the police operations are suspended, chiefs of police should also be on alert at all times especially on the aspect of defending police stations and camps.

This, as the CPP is set to celebrate its founding anniversary on December 26. In the past, the celebration of CPP Anniversary was reportedly capped with attacks to government forces and establishments.

“Our personnel should be alert, especially those in areas where NPA presence is high,” Gamboa told The Manila Bulletin in an interview.

The official said that the Chriatmas truce will not prevent the police from its regular law enforcement functions, including the serving of arrest warrants against wanted Communist rebels. (Aaron Recuenco)