AFP to rebels on Christmas Day: Give up armed struggle

By: Frances Mangosing - 10 years ago

The NPA is the armed unit of the Communist Party of the Philippines, and has been waging an insurgency since 1969. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine military on Thursday called on members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to abandon the use of armed violence that they have been waging for four decades.

“It has been proven that nobody is a real winner in bloody armed conflicts,” Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, Armed Forces Public Information Office chief, said in a statement on Christmas Day.

“We are witness to the endless misery experienced by our own people who are caught in the crossfire,” Cabunoc said.

The CPP is celebrating its 46th anniversary on Friday.

“In 2014, we are saddened that civilians have fallen victims to the atrocities carried out by NPA members around the country. There were two incidents of violent attacks on a civilian ambulance that claimed the lives of hapless civilians–one in Davao del Sur and another in the Caraga region.

“In May, the hostage-taking of civilians in Mabini, Compostela Valley, traumatized the people who were held at gunpoint for many hours. In Masbate, the grenade attack hurt innocent people in November,” Cabunoc said.

Both the military and the rebels declared a ceasefire for the holidays and the visit of Pope Francis. For the military, it would be from December 19 to January 20, while for the CPP’s New People’s Army, it would be from December 24 to 26; December 31 to 1, and January 15 to 19.