The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has expressed hope that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) will abide by its self-declared holiday ceasefire against government forces.
“The AFP hopes that the Communist Party of the Philippines will strictly abide by this self-declared ceasefire and will live up to their promise of non-violent and peaceful holidays for the Filipino and their members,” AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla told reporters on Tuesday.
The CPP earlier declared that it will observe a 12-day holiday ceasefire with government forces from December 23, 2015 to January 3, 2016. They will cease from carrying out offensive military operations against any members of the government forces.
READ: NPA declares 12-day Yuletide ceasefire
The spokesperson said there have been instances that the NPA had violated its own call for ceasefire.
“Although they have been accusing us [of violation], many of these are violations on their side,” he said.
Padilla said the NPA’s ceasefire is unilateral. The military will hold their own ceasefire but it is still up to the approval of the government higher-ups.
“AFP-PNP law enforcement operations and AFP focused military operations against threat groups in the country will continue until the Philippine government announces a halt to them for the Christmas season,” Padilla said.
“The annual ceasefire is traditional in nature. Makakaasa din tayo na oras na ito ay maaprubahan ng ating pangulo na siya ring ating commander in chief, ito ay iaanunsyo natin sa lahat at malalaman ito ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
(The annual ceasefire is traditional in nature. You can expect that once this is approved by our president who also serves as our commander in chief, we will let everyone know about it.) IDL