The suspension of military operations being observed by the Philippine Army and the local communist New People's Army, although on different dates, appears to be holding.

This is because, Army and police officials said yesterday, even during the 46 th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on Dec. 26, there were no any insurgency-related incidents.

Maj. Rey Tiongson, 3 rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief, however, said that despite the SOMO, 3ID troops in Negros and Panay remained vigilant.

Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, said they have monitored the hanging of streamers and placards in Escalante and Himamaylan, congratulating the CPP for its founding anniversary.

Lirazan also reported that they have not monitored any untoward incident attributed to the local rebel group before and after Dec. 26.

The traditional unilateral ceasefire being observed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in line with the yuletide season celebration, started Dec. 18, and will end on Jan. 19 next year.

The rebel SOMO, meanwhile, was on Dec. 25 to 26, and will be on Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 and Jan. 15 to 19 next year.

This is considered the longest SOMO being observed by the AFP in three decades.

In a statement it issued , the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the Bagong Hukbo ng Bayan, renewed its tirades against Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. and Col. Jon Aying, 303 rd Infantry Brigade for allegedly implementing “divide and rule tactics”, especially in the 5 th district of Negros Occidental.

Rebel spokesman Ka JB Regalado citing claims of success in augmenting their ranks and file, said they were able to recruit at least 45 individuals every week, thereby, increasing their strength by 50 percent in 2014.

The rebel group again justified what it called Puso ambush in La Castellana, against policemen and armed BPAT (Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team) members, who were used and mobilized for counter-insurgency operations.

Nine people, including a policeman, were killed, while 11 others were injured in an ambush claimed by the rebel group in La Castellana, two years ago. * GPB

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