Philippines on alert ahead of communist anniversary

MANILA, Dec 25 (Reuters) The Philippine military declared high alert at noon today, 12 hours before the expiry of its unilateral Christmas truce against communist guerrillas, after communist leaders called on their fighters to step up attacks.

Captain Ramon Zagala, deputy public information officer of the military, said the red alert was made ahead of the 38th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) tomorrow.

The New Peoples' Army, the armed wing of the CPP, traditionally mark the anniversary by attacking military and police targets.

''This red alert is in connection with their anniversary. If they do have plans, our soldiers are ready,'' Zagala told reporters.

The CPP rejected the ceasefire declared by the government, saying authorities were waging a relentless campaign against leftist activists. It also denounced President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's bid to change the political system from presidential to parliamentary, which it said was meant to keep her in power.

''As it celebrates its 38th anniversary on December 26, the CPP calls on all NPA units to further intensify tactical offensives and maintain the momentum till next year in line with the people's widespread clamor and struggle to end the corrupt, illegitimate, puppet, mendacious and repressive Arroyo regime,'' the CPP said in a statement posted on its Web site www.philippinerevolution.net.

On Thursday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved a suspension of military offensives against communist rebels from December 24 up to midnight of December 25. Over New Year, the military will observe a two-day truce from December 31 through January 1.

The military did not suspend its campaign against members of Abu Sayyaf, a local Muslim rebel group, and Jemaah Islamiah, a regional Islamic terror group, on a remote southwestern island.

REUTERS MS VV1917