(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night visited the wake of the junior army officer killed by suspected New People’s Army members in Davao Oriental on Wednesday, February 1, the day the rebels announced the termination of the unilateral ceasefire.
Duterte personally extended his condolences to the family of slain soldier 2nd Lieutenant Victor Alejo in Panacan, Davao City.
He also spoke with the generals of the Philippine Army on the termination of the government’s ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. The President said the government’s lifting of the ceasefire takes effect Friday night, February 3
The young officer, described as “very kind, approachable and friendly” by his colleagues, had just gotten engaged two weeks before the tragic February 1 encounter in Sitio Paliwason, Lambog in Manay, Davao Oriental.
The AFP said the NPA attack happened even if the communist rebels had claimed that the termination of the ceasefire was still to take effect on February 10.
The recent treacherous killings and attacks done by the NPA on government forces, many of whom were just engaged in community-building activities, prompted President Duterte to announce the lifting of the ceasefire effective Friday night, February 3.
Duterte, in a speech in M’lang Cotabato, told military men to “go back to your camps, clean your rifles, and be ready to fight.”
“I have already lost so many soldiers in just 48 hours,” he said.
“There will be no peace with the communists for the next generation,” he added.
The family of the slain soldier expressed support for the President’s decision, saying this was for the good of the country.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang of Davao Oriental also favored the lifting of the ceasefire since this would prevent NPA rebels from conducting their illegal activities.
“It is very sad that this incident happened while the NPA was supposed to be observing a unilateral ceasefire which they say is still in effect until February 10,” Major General Rafael C Valencia, 10ID commander said in a statement.
Second Lieutenant Miguel Victor Alejo was the platoon leader of the 67th Infantry Battalion.
A report from the 10th ID said an armed lawless group believed to be NPA members attacked a joint police and army team in Sitio Paliwason, Brgy. Lambog, in Manay town on Wednesday.
The soldiers and police are reportedly then heading to Brgy. Lambog after they received information that the NPA rebels were intimidating residents in the area and forcing them to evacuate.
This harassment was reported by two barangay officials to the Manay Municipal Police Station.
Alejo was a native of Nueva Ecija and a member of Philippine Military Academy “Sinag-lahi” Class 2015.
The military recovered an M16 rifle and an AK-47 and backpack left behind by the attackers after the clash.
The AFP spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said that the NPA had launched 18 attacks against the government troops, although the rebels’ declared withdrawal of the ceasefire was still to take effect on February 10.
“The armed forces are recommending a national day of mourning” for the fallen soldiers, he stated.
