AFP to continue internal security operations amid holidays

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Sunday that it would maintain its internal security operations throughout the holidays after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), declared they would not observe a holiday truce this year.

“Continuous yung operations that we are conducting, yung ating internal security operation, so walang humapay natin yang  ipagpapatuloy as we are sustaining the gains that we have throughout the year,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(Our internal security operations will continue. We will not stop as we are sustaining the gains we have  achieved throughout the year.)

Padilla highlighted that these operations included checkpoints and maintaining peace and order nationwide.

She also noted the significant progress in reducing the NPA’s presence,  stating that the number of active guerrilla fronts has dropped from 89  in 2018 to just one weakened front as of 2024.

“We’re really looking at zero active guerrilla fronts. So isang weakened na lang po yan. Within a year, hopefully, madala natin to zero, sa target po natin,” Padilla  said.

(We’re aiming for zero active guerrilla fronts. Only one weakened front remains, and we hope to achieve our target within the  year.)

The CPP disputed these claims, calling them "disinformation."

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro reiterated that there would be no  ceasefire with the CPP-NPA, describing such agreements as a "ceasefire  against terrorists and criminals."

The CPP is set to mark its 56th anniversary on December 26.

Padilla assured the public that the AFP was working closely with the Philippine  National Police (PNP) and other enforcement agencies to ensure safety in public spaces like malls, churches, and transportation terminals during the holiday season.

Both the AFP and PNP reported that no significant security threats have been detected so far. — DVM, GMA Integrated News