THE Philippine National Police won’t recommend to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. any ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army despite the celebration of Christmas and New Year.

According to the PNP, the most recent deadly clash between Armed Forces troops and NPA rebels in Balayan, Batangas is a solid reason why a ceasefire is not advisable at the moment.

“Wala po tayong irerekomenda so far para magkaroon ng ceasefire for this holiday season at kamakailan lang dito sa Batangas ay nagkaroon ng engkwentro between the members of NPA at ‘yung ating mga kasamahan sa AFP at merong namatay at nasugatan sa hanay ng ating government forces,” said PNP spokesperson, Colonel Jean S. Fajardo.

The official also said that PNP chief General Benjamin S. Acorda Jr. has ordered all 17 police regional offices and other PNP national operational support units to remain in full alert in the aftermath of the Batangas encounter.

The PNP is also watching movements of the NPA as the armed group is set to mark the 55th founding anniversary.

PNP and AFP troops maintain their high alert status ahead of the CPP anniversary as well as the NPA anniversary on March 29.

The CPP anniversary also coincides with the death of Joma Sison.

To counter all threats from the CPP/NPA, security forces increase their patrols and security in their camps and other installations as well as vital government infrastructures and other soft targets to preempt any rebel plans.

Col. Fajardo said additional personnel have been deployed to police stations located in far-flung provinces, especially in areas vulnerable to NPA attacks.

Last year, the AFP and the PNP also did not declare a yuletide truce with the CPP/NPA as a result of its ‘leadership vacuum’ triggered by the death of Joma Sison and the capture or neutralization of many of its high-ranking leaders.

Last December 17, patrolling military troops from the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division clashed with heavily-armed NPA guerrillas in Barangay Malalay in Balayan, Batangas leaving six suspected rebels and an Army soldier dead.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. condoled with the family of the slain soldier as well as those wounded, as he also committed to assisting them during this difficult time.

For his part, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin T. Romualdez expressed his deepest sympathies to the affected families and appealed to NPA members “to abandon the path of violence and rejoin the fold of the law.”

“This loss is a profound reminder of the sacrifices our armed forces make to ensure our nation’s security.

We also keep in our thoughts those who were wounded in this incident and we join the Executive Department in assuring their families of the government’s full support during this difficult time,” the Speaker said.