Aquino OKs monthlong ceasefire with NPA

President Benigno Aquino III. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–President Aquino has approved a monthlong unilateral cease-fire with the communist rebels to begin shortly before Christmas and end on the day Pope Francis leaves the country after a four-day visit in January.

The suspension of military and police operations will be in effect from Dec. 19 to Jan. 19 next year, Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles said in a statement.

“[The] government has always wished to provide for our people’s peaceful and joyful celebration of this holy season and a hope-filled welcome to a new year,” Deles said.

She said the “cessation of hostilities will allow the unhampered rehabilitation of calamity-affected communities, many of which are also conflict-affected.”

It would also “sustain the goodwill generated by the positive results of the collective disaster preparedness undertaken by the government and communities,” she added.

Malacañang said the ceasefire would also “set the tone” for the Pope’s visit from Jan. 15 to 19, 2015.

“With the silencing of guns, our preparations for and celebration of Pope Francis’ visit may be carried out with undistracted prayers and deep hope for abundant blessings to be showered on our people,” Deles said.

“After the difficult trials of past Christmas seasons, we pray for a peaceful, happy and hopeful season for everyone, a chance for all families and communities to come together in celebration and steadfast hope,” she said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) approved the cessation of operations against the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP).

“We would like to announce that upon the recommendation of the AFP as concurred in by the PNP and endorsed by the Department of National Defense, the President has approved a unilateral suspension of military and police operations against the CPP-NPA from midnight of Dec. 18 to midnight of Jan. 19, 2015,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said yesterday.

Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, PNP officer in charge, said however that law enforcement operations, particularly against fugitives, would continue.

“Our operations against wanted criminals will continue. We have to serve warrants as ordered by the courts,” Espina said.

Catapang said the military’s humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations would also continue, while security at vital installations would not be affected.

Both Catapang and Espina said they expected the CPP-NPA to reciprocate with their own ceasefire.