PNP remains on alert amid unilateral Yuletide ceasefire by CPP-NPA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday said it would continue with its security operations amid the declaration of unilateral five-day holiday ceasefire by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“The PNP will remain on alert and continue with our regular law enforcement and internal security operations in response to the unilateral declaration of a ceasefire by the CPP/NPA [New People’s Army] /NDF [National Democratic Front.]” PNP Spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said in a statement.

Last Friday, the CPP declared its two-part unilateral Yuletide ceasefire which will take effect at midnight of Dec. 24, and ends at midnight of Dec. 26 and again at midnight of Dec. 31 until midnight of Jan. 1, 2019.

READ: Joma confident NPA Yuletide ceasefire will hold

However, the PNP said they could not ignore the “insincerity” of the CPP, noting the 50-year bloody history of the communist party.

“The insincerity is simply too glaring and so obvious to ignore,” Durana said. “With a 50-year old deceptively obsolete ideology and a trail of bloody history behind them, the ruthless reputation of the CPP/NPA/NDF precedes their every move and attempt to fool us some more that they just cannot be trusted ever.”

The PNP said it would deny every “possible opportunity to harass and terrorize communities, recruit and kidnap children.”  /muf