MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año will not be recommending a truce with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) during the Christmas season.
“No, I will not recommend a ceasefire,” Año said in a text message on Tuesday.
He said the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), only takes advantage of the ceasefire to advance their propaganda and illegal activities without intervention from state forces.
“The CPP-NPA is taking advantage of the Christmas season to extort money from businessmen openly as well as consolidate its armed members and supporters with some media outfits to sensationalize it anniversary celebration without fear of interference from the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police),” said Año.
Instead, he said the government can give “lasting peace” by welcoming those who will return to the fold of the law this holiday season for the rebels to “start a new life.”
“We will provide him with all the benefits and opportunities to become productive peaceful citizens,” said Año, who also previously served as chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before becoming secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Government forces and communist rebels normally suspend offensives during the holiday season in the spirit of Christmas, as was the custom in previous years.
Año is among the government officials included in the reported hit list of the Communist Party of the Philippines in time for its 51st founding anniversary on December 26.
Año’s position on the truce with the NPA for the Christmas season echoes that of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who said that the ceasefire only works for the communist group since they use it to recruit fighters.