Philippine Army welcomes holiday ceasefire offer from CPP-NPA-NDF

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Army on Tuesday welcomed the ceasefire declared by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) but said the military will still conduct security patrols during the holidays.

In a statement, Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said security patrols will not violate the suspension of military offensives being observed by both the military and the NPA since this is defensive in nature.

The statement came after the CPP-NPA-NDF announced they will observe a six-day SOMO which is scheduled on December 24, 25, 26 and again on December 31,2011 up to January 1 and January 2, 2012.

The military declared an 18-day SOMO against the NPA which began on December 16, 2011 and will end January 2, 2012.

Likewise, the military also challenged the CPP-NPA-NDF to sincerely observe their SOMO citing the rebel group has been known to violate its own ceasefire declaration in the past.

“We are aware of the incidents in the past wherein the rebels took advantage of the SOMO in order to carry out treacherous attacks against our soldiers and vital installation we are protecting,” Cabunoc said.

Last Friday, five soldiers were killed while two others were wounded in action after alleged members of the NPA attacked a military base in Surigao del Sur Friday in what is believed to be the first violation of the unilateral ceasefire observed by the armed forces.