We’ll respect Holy Week — NPA

TARLAC CITY – As the predominantly Catholic nation observes Lent this week, the underground Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) declared that its guerrillas would not launch attacks against the government.

The communist leadership, however, has yet to give official word on the proposal for a ceasefire.

"There is no need for us to declare a ceasefire because we respect the people’s observance of the Holy Week," said senior spokesman, Gregorio Rosal of the CPP-New People’s Army (NPA).

Sen. Ralph Recto earlier urged President Arroyo to call for a week-long truce with the rebels in order to allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to focus on reported threats by the extremist Abu Sayyaf group to launch terror attacks during Holy Week.

Malacañang, through Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye, said Mrs. Arroyo is awaiting the recommendation of the AFP.

Regardless of whether the government declares a truce, Rosal assured "the people should not worry" for they will not launch any "tactical offensives."

However, he stressed the NPA would be compelled to defend its guerrilla positions from any counterinsurgency operation that may be launched by the military and police.

It has been the military, he claimed, that "initiates" encounters with the NPA "even during a ceasefire period."

"Mababawasan ang labanan kung titigil ang AFP at PNP sa kanilangmga pag-atake sa Hukbong Bayan (Fighting will be lessened if the AFP and PNP will stop their attacks on the People’s Army)," Rosal said.

Should the NPA carry out offensives in retaliation for alleged government attacks, Rosal said these would be on "legitimate military targets."

The CPP will be celebrating its 37th anniversary on March 29, and usually, the military and police brace for offensives carried out as a show of force.

Meanwhile, Rosal chided military and police claims about persisting terror threats from the Abu Sayyaf, saying these actually "come from the police, not from the terrorists."

"Kalokohan lang ’yan (That’s ridiculous)," the communist spokesman said, as he revealed the CPP-NPA and its political wing, the National Democratic Front, have received "reliable information" that there are only around 25 Abu Sayyaf fighters remaining in the island province of Sulu, said to be the stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf.

"Ang aming hinala nga, alaga ng military itong si Abu Solaiman (We even suspect that Abu Solaiman is being coddled by the military)," Rosal added, referring to the Abu Sayyaf commander who has claimed responsibility for the spate of bombings in two southern cities and Metro Manila last Feb. 14 on behalf of the terrorist group.

Police have alerted the public over the deployment of seven alleged extremists planning to undertake terror activities this Holy Week to avenge the death of their comrades in the foiled jailbreak at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City. — With James Mananghaya