ILOILO City – Members of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Panay Island should not expect a ceasefire declaration from the Philippine Army this Christmas season.
“You heard that from our commanders – we will not declare a ceasefire this December,” Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot of the 61st Infantry Battalion told the press.
The CPP does not stay true to its words, the Philippine Army official said.
“Nag-declare sila tapos, the next day, sinunog iyong banana plantation (sa Mindanao), six na security guards iyong nasaktan,” said Magbalot.
“Apparently, this is just a deception,” he added. “Hindi tayo naniniwala na hindi sila gagawa ng atrocity during that period na nag-declare sila ng ceasefire.”
A statement from the CPP Central Committee stated that their temporary unilateral ceasefire 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.”
During these periods “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 the Philippine National Police of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines,” the statement read.
Military offensives against the NPA, the armed wing of the CPP, in Panay Island will continue, stressed Magbalot.
The Armed Forces will not allow the rebels to cause harm this December, particularly in the days leading to the 50th founding anniversary of the communist group on the 26th, he said.
Magbalot said they could shorten the holiday break of the soldiers just to ensure a sufficient number of officers on the ground.
The 61st Infantry Battalion’s leader estimated that there are only 150 cadres currently operating in Panay Island.
Magbalot urged them to surrender so they could be with their families this Christmas and avail themselves of government-initiated benefits for rebel returnees, including livelihood.
Armed encounters cannot solve the conflict between the government and the rebels, the Army official said.
Magbalot also encouraged the public to report to the Philippine National Police any rebel activity in their communities./PN