No Holy Week truce Palace

MANILA, Philippines – There will be no suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) against communist rebels and other armed groups during the Holy Week, Malacañang said yesterday.

Secretary to the Cabinet Ricardo Saludo said there would be no letup in security operations of the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police as the predominantly Christian nation takes a break in observance of Holy Week to remember the passion and death of Jesus Christ.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said the authorities “will continue to provide maximum security for all citizens.”

“The police will continue to ensure peace and order while the military shall continue to provide defense for our people,” Fajardo said.

The last time the administration declared a SOMO with communist rebels during the Holy Week was in 2002.

An estimated 40,000 lives have been lost in the communist rebellion in the country. The New People’s Army has been waging the longest-running insurgency in Asia and will celebrate its 40th anniversary later this month.

Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano estimates that a quarter of a million domestic tourists will be going around the country this Holy Week.

Durano said the country registers the highest number of domestic tourists during the month where Holy Week falls, averaging 200,000 to as high as 250,000 local travelers.

“The Holy Week starts the summer vacation,” Durano told reporters after emerging from the recollection of Cabinet members with President Arroyo at the National Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel in J.P. Laurel St. in Malacañang.