Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero expressed hope that communist rebels are sincere with their unilateral ceasefire declaration.
鈥淎lam naman natin ang experience natin d鈥檡an eh (We know our experience with that), we just hope they would be sincere in their declaration,鈥� he told reporters聽Friday.
The military first declared the suspension of military operations from聽6 p.m. on Dec. 23聽to聽6 p.m. on Dec. 26, and 6 p.m. on Dec. 30聽to聽6 p.m. on Jan. 2. The Communist Party of the Philippines reciprocated the ceasefire for the same period.
The AFP chief told his men to remain vigilant amid the ceasefire.
鈥淭o be on active defense and to make sure we continue protecting 鈥榶ung mga communities natin,鈥� he said.
But while they hope that communist rebels are sincere, Guerrero said they are also expecting that the rebels will intensify their recruitment during the ceasefire.
鈥淭hat is expected, itong sinasabi nating space ano, may mga (in this space, there will be) hostilities and fighting for them to engage in other activities,鈥� he said. /je