MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The Philippine president has ordered the Armed Forces and the National Police to step up security against rebels who refuse to honor the Christmas cease-fire.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Tuesday in her opening statement during the National Security Council Cabinet Group Executive Committee meeting ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police on alert after three Marines were ambushed and killed allegedly by the New People's Army rebels during the government-declared 22-day unilateral Christmas cease-fire, the Philippines government news reported.
"My countrymen, I join you in condoling with the three Marines killed by NPA in spite of the fact that they were unarmed due to the declaration by the government and the AFP of the unilateral Christmas cease-fire," Macapagal-Arroyo said in a statement.
"As your commander in chief, I am instructing the military and the police to tightly secure their troops, camps and buildings against rebels who take advantage of the ceasefire."
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that while the military would honor the cease-fire, it would not prevent them from pursuing the suspected militants.
