PNP, AFP brace for possible heightened activities of Reds as their anniversary nears

By Ronron
March 19, 2008

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are bracing for possible heightened activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) as their 39th founding anniversary approaches.

While there are still no direct threats monitored from the NPA, which marks its anniversary on March 29, the PNP assured the public on Wednesday that they are not letting its guard down, its spokesman said.

“The PNP is always prepared. As of now, there is no specific threat but the PNP will always be there,” said Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome,

AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., for his part, said an intensified offensive of the NPA is expected by the military because “that is part of their overall preparation.”

“You expect that they would launch some activities if only to highlight their anniversary,” Esperon said, noting that there are still more than 5,000 armed fighters of the group.

But prior to the NPA anniversary, Esperon said the military could take advantage of the time by launching operations against the communists.

“The anniversary of the NPA comes (on) March (29), and … it’s time for them to be meeting. So, I think it’s a good time for us to be operating,” he said.

It is for this reason that Esperon said they will not declare a unilateral suspension of military offensives (SOMO) during the duration of the Holy Week.

The 5,760-strong NPA had already been active the last few days, attacking private firms and ambushing government troops.

The government vows to neutralize them by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.

The communist movement backed out from the peace negotiations with the government in August 2004 after it was tagged as terrorist by foreign governments./DMS