The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said three to five communist rebel leaders are vying for the position left vacant with the recent death of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison.
At the same time, the PNP said it has not detected security threats in connection with the 54th anniversary of the CPP on Dec. 26.
PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Redrico Maranan declined however, to reveal the names of Sison’s potential successor.
“We are looking at some personalities. If I am not mistaken, we are looking at three to five personalities. But as of now I am not at liberty to divulge those names because we are still studying them, Maranan said during the regular Laging Handa briefing.
Sison, 83, who founded the CPP in 1968, died last Dec. 16 in The Netherlands where he has been on self-exile for years.
CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena, who announced Sison’s death, earlier said they will continue to push their armed and political struggle “guided by the memory and teachings” of Sison.
The CPP has been waging a communist insurgency against the government through its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), and political arm, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), for more than 50 years now.
“We do not see or receive any serious threats but we are not letting our guards down. We will intensify our security posture because we know that the communist insurgents continue to stage attacks at this time,” Maranan said.
He gave assurance however, that the PNP has been on alert for any untoward incident.
“The PNP is always ready in such situation, before the anniversary we are already on the highest alert, a full alert, and we are ready to thwart them and protect our citizens,” he said.
Maranan reiterated that they will not issue any recommendations for a ceasefire or suspension of police operations (SOPO) against communist insurgents this holiday season, despite Sison’s death.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the military supports the police force in securing the holiday season against communist insurgents and other lawless elements.
“Rest assured that 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. We are in unity with the Filipino people in its prayer and aspirations for a peaceful and meaningful celebration of the season,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said.
In his lifetime, Sison faced 17 criminal charges, nine cases of rebellion, seven cases of murder, and one case for crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity.