Reds declare Christmas cease-fire as AFP awaits Palace decision

From InterAksyon (Dec 18): Reds declare Christmas cease-fire as AFP awaits Palace decision

As promised, the communist revolutionary armed movement on Wednesday declared a unilateral cease-fire days before its founding anniversary. It ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army, to suspend tactical offensives while staying vigilant against offensives that may be launched by the military and police.

“The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) hereby issues this ceasefire declaration to all commands and units of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the people’s militia to take effect on 0000 Hours of 24 December 2013 to 2359 Hours of 26 December 2013; and on 0000 Hours of 31 December 2013 to 2359 Hours of 2 January 2014,” it said in a statement.

Malacanang has yet to reciprocate although the military earlier said it had already recommended to President Benigno Aquino III, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), to declare a suspension of military operations (SOMO) against the NPA.

The CPP leadership said that within the cease-fire period “all commands of the NPA and the people’s militia shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive operations against the armed units and personnel” of the military and police and all other paramilitary forces attached to them.

The CPP-CC reminded commands and units of the NPA and the people’s militia, that while in active defense mode, they should remain vigilant “against any encroachments by the reactionary armed forces and its attached armed groups into the territory of the people’s democratic government.”

In case of attacks, “NPA and people’s militia units retain the option to engage in armed hostilities as an act of self-defense and in order to prevent the enemy from unleashing its brutalities against the people.”

The CPP explained the cease-fire declaration is meant to honor the Filipinos’ traditional observance of Christmas and New Year holidays.

Earlier, the CPP urged the government to suspend military offensives against the NPA on December 26 as the party celebrates its 45th founding anniversary.

 The AFP celebrates its 78th founding anniversary on December 20, but announced it will have a vastly scaled down celebration, having decided to use the budget for helping out with activities related to post-typhoon Yolanda reconstruction.

Post-Yolanda cease-fire called

When super typhoon Yolanda struck early last month, the rebels declared a lengthy ceasefire in provinces ravaged by the storm to allow their forces to engage in relief and rehabilitation efforts.

In the worst hit region of Eastern Visayas, the rebel leadership extended the truce to mid-January.

However, the military refused to reciprocate the ceasefire, even as considerable numbers of military units were deployed in the massive task of rescuing survivors, clearing debris, restoring vital infrastructure, retrieving bodies and securing temporary shelters.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista refused to call the SOMO they recommended through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process a ceasefire.

“Traditionally, we declare not a ceasefire but a suspension of military offensive during Christmas holidays and we will leave it up to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to recommend to the President. We will support their recommendation,” Bautista said.

Last week, the New People’s Army raided two police stations in Mindanao, seizing several firearms while killing a policeman and wounding three others.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/77028/reds-declare-christmas-cease-fire-as-afp-awaits-palace-decision