Rebels return favor but declare shorter truce
LUCENA CITY—The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Monday issued a ceasefire order to its armed wing, the New People’s Army, for the duration of the Christmas and New Year season.
In a statement, the CPP and its Military Commission said all NPA commands and units across the country would stop attacks on police and military forces starting on December 24 up to midnight of December 26 and on December 31 up to midnight of January 2, 2012.
“This ceasefire order is being issued in solidarity with the Filipino people’s traditional celebration of the Christmas and New Year holidays,” the CPP said.
CPP anniversary
It said the ceasefire would also give an opportunity for its “revolutionary masses to join various activities to mark the CPP’s 43rd foundation anniversary on December 26.”
According to the CPP, the ceasefire order was particularly significant for its NPA units operating in Mindanao and Visayan provinces which were severely hit by Tropical Storm “Sendong.”
The NPA commands could mobilize their forces to help those who were affected and lost their livelihood due to the storm, it said.
Defensive mode
However, the CPP said the NPA rebels would maintain their defensive mode and continue to remain vigilant during the ceasefire.
The CPP said police and military soldiers “who have no serious liability other than their membership in their armed units shall not be subjected to arrest and punitive actions.”
Personal visits
“They may be allowed individually to enter the territory of the people’s democratic government to make personal visits to relatives and friends,” the CPP said.
On Thursday, President Benigno Aquino III announced an 18-day unilateral ceasefire starting at 12:01 a.m. of December 16 until midnight of January 3, 2012.
Last year, both the government and the CPP, along with its armed wing, the NPA, observed a 19-day ceasefire from Dec. 16, 2010, to Jan. 3, 2011, prior to the resumption of peace talks.
The government and communist rebels have yet to return to the negotiating table months after they first met in Oslo last February under the Aquino administration.
