BACOLOD CITY: The Philippine Army will not declare a ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Occidental, a military official said. 'We have learned our lesson from the past. They just took advantage of it,' Col. Michael Samson, acting commander of the Philippine Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB), said.Samson said if communist rebels want to spend time with their families in welcoming the New Year, they can come home but 'should not carry firearms.''But it's even better that they abandon going to the mountains so they can always be with their families. They can become productive persons and help their communities instead,' he added.In past experiences, Samson said, the CPP-NPA never ceased its recruitment activities and even attacked government forces whenever a ceasefire was declared by the government.Samson, who took over as acting 303IB commander on Tuesday, December 27, said he supports localized peace talks.'If we erase their apprehensions, we can hold a dialogue, and eventually make a settlement. We can talk out the local issues that can be addressed by the local government units and government agencies, then it's better,' he said.'Let's talk about it, but I encourage it to be done locally. The previous national peace talks failed because they blindly follow the teachings or directives of the CPP's Central Committee,' he added.Samson said they will respond with military action to those who insist on fighting the government through terror and violence.'If they continue to do that, we will be forced to make their lives miserable. If it's the only way to force them to abandon the armed struggle,' he added.Meanwhile, the provincial government here has directed all city and municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices (DRRMOs) to raise a blue alert status from December 30 to January 2 as a precaution for possible weather disturbance coinciding with the New Year celebrations.Provincial administrator Rayfrando Diaz said all DRRMOs will be on a heightened alert level.'We're all preparing for the festivities that will happen in the New Year. We are hoping and praying that everyone of us will put our safety to mind as our top priority,' Diaz said.