Military declares own ceasefire with NPA

MANILA, Philippines—Newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa on Thursday declared an 18-day suspension of military operations (SOMO) against the communist New People’s Army (NPA) starting Friday.

“This is to give our brothers and sisters who have gone the wrong path, a chance to celebrate Christmas and bond with their families and loved ones peacefully,” AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos quoted Dellosa as saying.

The Philippine National Police, also on Thursday, declared a similar 18-day holiday ceasefire with the NPA, also starting Friday.

Burgos said that the SOMO was both for the Yuletide season and “as a demonstration of the AFP’s commitment, sincerity and support to the primacy of the peace process.”

The SOMO will be in effect from December 16 to January 2 next year.

The operational guidelines have been issued to all unit and field commanders, Burgos said.

He explained that the SOMO will cover “offensive operations against the NPA.”

But the military will still act to protect against violent attacks in vital installations, major investment infrastructure, and communities, Burgos said.

“As guardians of peace and order, we will, in close coordination with the Philippine National Police, remain vigilant despite the observance of SOMO, to ensure our people’s safety and the peaceful celebration of the holidays,” Dellosa said according to Burgos.

Burgos said that Dellosa wanted all field commanders to “be alert in the performance of their duties to preclude any untoward incident as a result of atrocities.”

The AFP will still continue all their security patrols and law-enforcement operations in civilian communities throughout the duration of the SOMO, Burgos said.