AN official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command revealed in an interview yesterday that the AFP will stay on alert despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of unilateral ceasefire against the New People’s Army this Christmas season.
Col. Medel Aguilar, assistant chief for Unified Staff Command for Civil Military Operations in Central Command, told the media that they will also continue with their humanitarian efforts especially in areas that were affected by Tropical Storm Urduja.
Last December 16, two soldiers, whose unit was heading to a storm-hit village in Catubig town in northern Samar, were injured in an ambush by suspected communist rebels.
Pfc. Roland Gomez got a bullet wound in the buttocks while Cpl. Yzazel Laure was hit in the belly, according to 2nd Lt. Michelle Estares, information officer of the 20th Infantry Battalion based in Catubig.
The two soldiers are part of a team of 14 soldiers from the 20th IB who were on their way to Barangay Hinagoyonon, Catubig to help residents affected by flooding caused by heavy rains brought by the tropical storm.
President Duterte ordered the military to suspend operations against the communist insurgents starting from 6 p.m. of December 23 until 11:59 p.m. of December 26 and from 6 p.m. of December 30 to 11:59 p.m. of January 2.