By Raymond Villanueva
MANILA, Philippines – The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has declared a two-day ceasefire starting on Christmas Day and its 55th anniversary, on December 25 and 26, respectively.
In an announcement on its website, the CPP Central Committee as well as the New People’s Army (NPA) National Operational Command ordered all NPA units across the Philippines to suspend offensive military operations starting 00:01 of December 25 to 23:59 of December 26.
“The two-day ceasefire is intended to allow the peasant masses and NPA groups to hold assemblies, meetings or rallies to celebrate the Party’s anniversary, look back on the achievements made and pay tribute to all the heroes and martyrs of the Philippine revolution. “, the announcement reads.
“This ceasefire declaration is also in solidarity with the classic holiday celebrations,” he added.
The PPC and NPA last declared a suspension of military operations in March 2020, in reaction to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ global call for an end to hostilities due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier that month, Rodrigo Duterte, then President of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), also announced his administration’s ceasefire to control its anti-Covid19 reaction.
GRP Ferdinand Marcos has to respond to the new ceasefire declaration of the CPP-NPA.
Last month, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, led through the CPP, and the GRP announced the signing of the Oslo Joint Declaration on November 23, revealing that the two sides were engaged in a series of dialogues to explore the option of resuming formal negotiations. Peace negotiations between the two sides.
However, in their ceasefire announcement today, the PCP and NPA warned all their groups to remain vigilant “in the face of the relentless offensives, state terrorism and fascist crimes of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “
“[A]ll NPA groups are placed on high alert and will have to be vigilant and in a position to act in self-defense to counter and thwart hostile movements or movements through enemy groups as a component of the guerrilla fronts and spaces of operations of the ANP. The NPA and the masses are requested to maintain the utmost secrecy in carrying out their activities,” he said.
The NPA may resume its offensive military movements at midnight on Dec. 27, he added. (republished in davaotoday. com)