The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed readiness Wednesday, Dec. 21, to secure the Filipino people as they celebrate the Yuletide season although no security threat has been monitored four days before the Christmas Day.

Col. Medel Aguilar, acting AFP spokesperson, said the military will augment the personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring the safety of the public.
“We support the PNP, the lead effort, in the security operations during the Yuletide season,” he said. The military spokesperson, however, did not disclose how many personnel will be mobilized for the Christmas security.
Along with this, the AFP is also preparing to secure areas of convergence ahead of the 54th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Dec. 26.
The CPP previously ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), to mount attacks against state forces as part of their “10-day mourning” after the party’s founder, Jose Ma. “Joma” Sison, died last Dec. 16.
“Rest assured the AFP is ready with all its capabilities available to help the PNP suppress all forms of violence that may be initiated by any armed group,” Aguilar noted.
“We are in unity with the Filipino people in its prayer and aspirations for a peaceful and meaningful celebrations of the season,” he added.
The AFP and CPP had announced that they will not declare unilateral ceasefire in time for the holiday this year, unlike the previous years when a one- to two-week truce was implemented to allow soldiers and rebels pause their fighting.