AFP still awaiting guidance on Christmas truce

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is still waiting for guidance from the top political leadership for the declaration of Christmas truce with the communist rebels.

Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, AFP spokesman, issued this statement in response to a call made by Grace Poe, daughter of the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., for the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to declare a three-month ceasefire starting next month against the New People’s Army (NPA).

“On the Yuletide Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO), the AFP is still awaiting for guidance,” Burgos said.

But Burgos said that every year, the AFP has been observing the SOMO as a demonstration of its commitment and sincerity and support to the primacy of the peace process.

“The AFP will continue to support all the peace initiatives and peace building efforts of the government,” Burgos said.

Poe, in a press statement delivered at Camp Aguinaldo, implored the military and police leadership to take the initiative of declaring a suspension of operations against the NPAs to avert hostilities during the Christmas holidays.

She said that even if the insurgents do not reciprocate right away, a unilateral declaration of ceasefire by the government side would go a long way to preserving the peace.

“Every hour that the country is embroiled in armed conflict means lives are imperilled or lost. But every day that a ceasefire is in effect means some woman’s husband or son or some kid’s father will come home safe,” Poe said.