Communist militants in the say they will attack Philippine military forces conducting peace and development operations despite President Aquino's unilateral order for the suspension of military and police operations (SOMO) against the New People's Army.In press statement, Jorge Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, said, "We wish to point out and clarify that the NDFP-Mindanao considers the COPD and other similar military operations as part of the offensive military operations of Philippine Army units, and are, therefore, legitimate military targets of the New People’s Army (NPA)"
Ka Oris is Mindanao's spokesman for the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political umbrella of the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) which is marking its 46th anniversary on December 26.
Madlos was reacting to a 4th Infantry Division spokesperson who allegedly said community organizing for peace and development (COPD) operations will continue in the countryside during the month-long holiday ceasefire.
Aquino on Wednesday ordered a unilateral ceasefire that will last from December 18 until January 19, after Pope Francis leaves the country following a 4-day official visit.
Meanwhile, the CPP announced a limited ceasefire which will cover from 12:01 am of December 24, 2014 to 11:59 pm of December 26, 2014; 12:01 am of December 31, 2014 to 11:59 pm of January 1, 2015; and 12:01 am of January 15, 2015 to 11:59 pm of January 19, 2015.