The Communist Party of the Philippines yesterday dismissed as a “sham” the government's declaration of a 21-day unilateral ceasefire, and ordered the New People's Army to launch more tactical offensives against the military.

CPP spokesman Gregorio Rosal issued the warning in a statement against government forces who may enter into what he claims to be “revolutionary territory”, as they will always be legitimate targets of NPA tactical offensives. He cited the recent ambush of three Marine troopers in Palawan .

However, the 21-day unilateral ceasefire, which entered on its second day yesterday, appears to be holding as indicated by the absence of any insurgency-related incident in central Negros, 2Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas, 11 th Infantry Battalion Civil Military Operations officer, said.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, yesterday said the police will not hesitate to react on any attacks by rebels against them, or against private or public installations, although they will strictly observe the ceasefire.

Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon and Franco urged the communist rebels to honor the government initiated unilateral ceasefire.

Col. Honorato de los Reyes announced that in keeping alive the Christmas spirit, members of the New People's Army in Negros may re-unite and celebrate the yuletide season with their families, without fear of arrest so long as they refrain from carrying firearms, and they have no pending arrest warrants

The holiday truce started on Dec. 16 and will end Jan. 6 next year.

Rosal alleged that the continuing spate of extrajudicial killings, abductions, arbitrary arrests and illegal detention as well as other acts of violence, especially in the countryside, serve as a revealing backdrop to what he called the hypocrisy and emptiness of Arroyo's ceasefire declaration.

Both the military and police in Negros island remain on alert status, in line with the 39 th CPP founding anniversary on Dec. 26.

AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon yesterday justified the pursuit operations against the rebel ambushers of the Marines in Palawan , saying they are still allowed to respond to attacks by insurgents or lawless elements, an AFP press release said.

While ground commanders would not order an assault under the ceasefire, they can however conduct an “immediate offensive” if they detect rebel formations about to attack civilian communities, Esperon said in the press release.*GPB

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