MANILA – The Communist Party of the Philippines declared on Friday a unilateral ceasefire in observance of the Christmas and New Year celebrations and the group’s 50th founding anniversary.
The truce will be from 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 24 to 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 26, and from 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2019, the CPP Central Committee said.
“During the days covered by this temporary ceasefire declaration, all units of the NPA (New People’s Army) and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns and operations against uniformed armed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines,” the Committee said in a statement.
But the unilateral ceasefire can be cut short or called off if the military attacks activists and communities first, the rebel group said.
Moreover, all “revolutionary forces” will heighten resistance against the Duterte administration and hold meetings, assemblies and mass rallies during their anniversary on Dec. 26, said the communist group.
“We must all struggle arduously to frustrate (President Rodrigo) Duterte’s scheme of extending martial law in Mindanao, exercising de facto nationwide martial law powers, giving the military full control of various government agencies and programs, and employing the military and police to manipulate the results of the 2019 elections to ensure local government control by pro-Duterte and pro-AFP officials,” read the CPP statement.
They were also resisting any more to “put Congress under his (Duterte) majority control in order to push charter change for his federalism project next year so he can impose his dictatorship with the support of allied regional warlords and political dynasties,” the statement added.
Last year, CPP and government forces declared holiday ceasefires but the military accused the NPA of breaking the truce.
On Wednesday the Armed Forces said they were not inclined to recommend the suspension of military operations (SOMO) during the holidays.
The communist group has not been sincere in observing the SOMO in the past, according to the Armed Forces spokesman, Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo.
Based on experience, “it’s not worth it,” Arevalo told a press briefing.
Arevalo added that they do not want the rebels to “gather and mass up” and “joyfully celebrate their 50th anniversary.”/PN
