Truce violations: AFP, NPA engage in finger-pointing

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Communist Party of the Philippines’ New People’s Army accused each other of violating their ceasefire declarations.

The AFP earlier declared a month-long unilateral ceasefire from Dec. 19 to Jan. 20 for the holidays and the Pope Francis’ visit, while the CPP announced a truce on staggered dates also for the holidays and Pope’s visit: Dec. 24 to 26; Dec. 31 to 1 and Jan. 15 to 19.

The ceasefire ended on Tuesday.

The military in Eastern Mindanao claimed the NPA rebels violated their ceasefire last Sunday after the guerrillas supposedly harassed a patrol base in New Visayas in Lupon, Davao Oriental. A 15-minute firefight ensued.

They also cited that NPA in Surigao del Sur “laid landline and deployed snipers” along the San Isidro-Mahaba Road.

The NPA, meanwhile, has accused the AFP earlier this month that despite the military’s supposed unilateral ceasefire, “military and police units observed no holidays and showed no letup in the conduct of their counter-guerrilla operations and militarization of communities.”