QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — The unilateral ceasefire declared by the government has officially ended with the end of the holiday season and the Armed Forces of the Philippines resumed military offensive against the New People’s Army.
The suspension of military operations was declared last year, covering the periods of December 23 to 26 and December 30 to January 2, 2018.
On the other hand, the NPA also declared a unilateral ceasefire from 6 p.m. of Dec. 23 to 6 p.m. of Dec. 26, and from 6 p.m. of Dec. 30 to 6 p.m. of Jan. 2.
“Effective 12:00 a.m. simula na. As far as the rules of engagement are concerned, when the ceasefire lapses tonight at 11:59 p.m., then that automatically means that we will resume offensive combat operations unless the commander in chief (President Rodrigo Duterte) orders otherwise,” Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong explained on Tuesday, January 2.
Andolong also said that its national priority is to resolve the insurgency threat.
“It is really a national priority, our peace and order situation is critical to achieving national development, we have areas (where) local economies are not prospering because of the activities of the terrorists, especially those engaged in kidnapping, arson, extortion and it is of paramount importance and in fact as far as DND is concerned, it is part of the policy guidance of the SND (Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana) to conduct focused operations so that this may be achieved,” he added.