CPP declares ceasefire for Christmas, 50th anniversary

DAVAO CITY — The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has declared a temporary unilateral ceasefire for the Christmas holidays and the party’s 50th year anniversary, the CPP central committee announced on its website.

The CPP ceasefire will begin at midnight of Christmas Eve,  December 24, to end at midnight of December 26, the CPP anniversary.

The ceasefire will resume at midnight on New Year’s Eve, December 31 and end at midnight of the New Year, January 1.

“The CPP declares to all commands and units of the New People’s Army (NPA) and people’s militias a temporary unilateral ceasefire in unity with the Filipino people’s observance of traditional holidays,” the CPP said in a statement posted on its website.

It said the cessation of hostilities would also give them time to pay tribute to their heroes as they mark the 50th year of its founding.

“The revolutionary forces (will need) a brief period to pay tribute to their heroes and martyrs as they mark and celebrate the Party’s upcoming 50th anniversary,” the statement read.

“During the days covered by this temporary ceasefire declaration, all units of the NPA and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns,” the CPP statement said.