Palace to review AFP recommendation for Holy Week ceasefire

Malacañang will review this week the recommendation for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to declare a ceasefire against communist rebels in observance of Holy Week.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said in a telephone interview that he was informed by Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane that a recommendation for a Lenten suspension of offensive military operations will be sent to the Palace today: "Normally there is a ceasefire but let’s see."

The Palace move came in the wake of a call by administration senatorial candidate Sen. Ralph Recto last week for the AFP and the New People’s Army (NPA) to declare a ceasefire during Holy Week in spite of the arrest of Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo, a former negotiator of the National Democratic Front (NDF) and an alleged member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Mrs. Arroyo in 2005 declared a unilateral ceasefire during Holy Week to pave the way for the release of Marine Sgt. Jeremias Rosete from NPA captivity in Sultan Kudarat, where the remains of Rosete and three other civilians were found. They were believed to have been executed by communist rebels.

Recto said holding a ceasefire during the Holy Week should not be impeded by the detention of Ocampo, whom Recto said may be eventually exonerated if the truth is on his side.

He said either the government or the NDF can declare a unilateral ceasefire, which can be matched by a similar declaration by the other party to begin the truce.

"It doesn’t matter who will declare (a ceasefire) first. The important thing is that any ceasefire call will be met by a similar call," Recto said. "If possible let us have the truce from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday."

He said combatants from both sides can use the respite from battle to reflect and think about the future of the nation: "Lent is a time for praying, not fighting." – Paolo Romero