THE Communist Party of the Philippines on Friday declared a unilateral ceasefire to celebrate the Christmas season and the 49th anniversary of its armed wing, the New People’s Army—a few hours shorter than the earlier declaration made by the government.
The temporary ceasefire shall be in effect from 6 p.m. of Dec. 23 to 6 p.m. of Dec. 26; and 6 p.m. of Dec. 30 to 6 p.m. of Jan. 2, 2018, said Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, NPA spokesman.
“During this period, all NPA units and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns and operations against the uniformed armed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP] and its paramilitaries, and the Philippine National Police [PNP] of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines,” the NPA statement read.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque welcomed the move by the CPP-NPA-NDF to follow suit.
“We expect that the CPP-NPA would honor their word and comply with the unilateral ceasefire, so that our people could truly experience a peaceful Christmas celebration,” he said in a statement.
“May we all stand together in fulfilling our shared desire of achieving lasting peace throughout the nation.”
Despite the government’s own temporary truce, the CPP and NPA are “only too aware of the AFP’s treachery, attacks and deception,” Madlos said.
All units of the NPA and the people’s militias will remain on “active defensive mode,” the communists said.
“As such, all leading organs and branches of the CPP, commands and units of the NPA and people’s militias and revolutionary mass organizations shall closely monitor any hostile actions, provocations or movements being carried out by the enemy armed forces,” he added.
The government on Thursday cut short its unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels, after the CPP called the move “a farce.”
The government ceasefire originally declared Wednesday was supposed to run continuously from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2, 2018 but will now take effect from Dec. 23 6 p.m. until Dec. 26, 11:59 p.m. and from Dec. 30, 6 p.m. to Jan. 2, 11:59 p.m.—less than six hours longer than the NPA-declared ceasefire.
In an interview Wednesday with the Manila Standard, CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison, who lives in exile in The Netherlands, called the suspension of military operations a “farce” and said the NPA rebels “will remain on alert against attacks from the AFP and the PNP.”
On Thursday night, President Rodrigo Duterte said he is offering aid and protection to NPA rebels who surrender to the government.
At an event in the Eastern Mindanao Command in Camp Panacan, Davao, Duterte said he declared a ceasefire for all, and that it was up to the communists if they wanted to join.
During the event, more than 700 former rebels surrendered as part of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the local government and the Office of the Presidential Adviser of the Peace Process, aimed at building confidence with those who want to turn themselves in.
He also offered financial and housing assistance, job opportunities and an assurance that they can join the Armed Forces of the Philippines.