ILOILO City – There will be no suspension of military operations (SOMO) this yuletide season, according to Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army.
Arevalo said they have not received orders for a ceasefire with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
“Since walang declaration galing sa itaas, we have no SOMO in any part of the country. As usual, our troops will be deployed to areas where there are reports of insurgency,” Arevalo said.
He also stated that the pursuit for rebels is ongoing, and that more soldiers have been deployed to Negros and Panay islands.
“Tuloy-tuloy ang ating operations at sunod-sunod rin mga encounters lalo na sa Negros Island,” he said.
In previous years, SOMO was declared across the country to provide the military and people in conflict areas with the opportunity to celebrate the holidays in peace.
“Welcome pa rin ang mga nasa bundok na mag-surrender sa atin at mag bagong buhay. They can avail themselves of the livelihood program of the government” Arevalo added./PN
