AFP: No talks of Christmas ceasefire with NPA

Soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during Balikatan training exercises (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is not discussing the possibility of a Christmas ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar revealed this Tuesday in a text message to INQUIRER.net. He also pointed out that even if there is a cessation of hostilities between the AFP and NPA amid the Christmas season, there is no guarantee that the Maoist rebels could impose the truce due to what he called a “leadership crisis” within the CPP.

“It is not being discussed yet,” he said, “and the CPP is suffering from [a] leadership crisis after the neutralization of many of its national leaders.”

“In short, there is no one to negotiate with, and the Party has no capability to impose [a] ceasefire.”

Aguilar, however, said the government could impose a suspension of military operations or Somo against the NPA “especially in areas where they are already weak.”

“We pray for the enlightenment of the CPP cadres that reforms have already taken place in our government and our society. It is time for them to abandon armed struggle and disband the NPA,” he also said.

INQUIRER.net has contacted CPP spokesperson Marco Valbuena for his comment on the AFP’s statement about an unlikely Christmas truce. But this writer has not received a reply from Valbuena as of this posting.

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