Reds declare ceasefire

MANILA, Philippines - In observance of the Yuletide season and as part of the celebration of its 45th anniversary, the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines (NDF-CPP) yesterday declared a ceasefire effective Dec. 24 to 25 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 2.

“This ceasefire declaration is being issued in solidarity with the Filipino people’s traditional observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays,” the CPP said in a statement.

The Communist movement said the truce was meant to allow people and the revolutionary forces to join mass celebrations marking the 45th anniversary of the CPP’s re-establishment on Dec. 26.

It said the New People’s Army (NPA) and the people’s militia have been ordered to cease and desist from carrying out offensive operations against the military, the police and other forces attached to the government.

The CPP ceasefire committee reminded its members to remain vigilant against any attempts of the enemy to encroach in their territory.

“In the face of a clear and imminent danger, the NPA and the people’s militia units retain the option to engage in armed hostilities as an act of self-defense and in order to prevent the enemy from unleashing its brutalities against the people,” the group said.   

AFP supports ceasefire

Even before the NDF-CPP announced the declaration, Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista has expressed support to a holiday ceasefire with the communist movement rebels, noting this will provide everyone a respite from fighting.

Bautista said the suspension of the offensive military operations (SOMO) has been a yearly tradition, although the recommendation would have to come from the presidential peace adviser. 

“The advantage of declaring SOMO is we give everybody a respite from the fighting. We hope this conflict will end,” he said.

The military will support the truce even if the peace negotiation between the communist rebels and the government remain stalled.

“It doesn’t matter if the prospects (of the talks) is dim. This is for the Filipino people. We deserve a break during Christmas. This is a very, significant, very important holiday for our people,” Bautista said.

Last year, the government implemented a SOMO against the communist insurgents from Dec. 16 to Jan. 15 to support the resumption of the peace talks.

The holiday truce was reciprocated by the CPP.

AFP spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. on Tuesday said there was a proposal to declare a ceasefire on the same date this year.

Malacañang has yet to approve the proposal.

Talks between the government and the NDF-CPP were stalled after the rebels demanded the release of communist leaders facing criminal cases.

The NDF, which represents the rebels in the negotiations, claimed the jailed communist leaders were working as peace consultants and should be immune from arrest.

Government negotiators, however, said they could not validate such claims as some of the prisoners are using aliases.

The NDF, for its part, is blaming the government for the impasse and accused the Aquino administration of refusing to honor past agreements.