Peace begets peace when both sides seriously seek it
HE Duterte on Wednesday to suspend combat operations against the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines throughout the Christmas holidays -- despite his security officials’ recommendation to the contrary -- has yielded the desired result.
Two days later, the New People’s Army followed Duterte’s lead 6:00 p.m. on December 24 to 6:00 p.m.of December 26 and again on December 30 to January 2 of 2018.
Indeed, there is a season for everything under heaven. Even warring groups recognize a time to lay down their arms and
In this nation of over 100 million inhabitants from various more than 7,000 islands, three things can hold Filipinos together: geography, hunger for rice, and Christmas reunions. Regardless - tion, come Christmas time, Filipinos love to get together and give each other presents, and eat rice always on the menu, of course, along with bread and all sorts of noodles, as well as all other carbohydrates-rich dishes.
The idea of enjoying the warm bonds of family, friends relationships becomes irresistible to a Filipino when Christmas comes, in the reason for the season—the birth of the Son of the Deity as celebrated around the world. No one of that persuasion would want to be left out and alone on that day—such miserable thought is dreaded and must be avoided if it is within one’s power to do so.
But even if you don’t believe an iota of such God-centered Christianity too irrational and cheesy for your bent -- just tugs at one’s sense of belongingness. The human psyche is just built that around the world for their sunny, cheerful smile and hospitality, Christmas is simply a special time of year for bonding with family, colleagues and friends.
Recognizing this Filipino characteristic, this populist Presi group he earlier declared as terrorists, even unilaterally, and no special plenum to convince the communist leaders it was what’s best for their weary armed units.
“Christmas holds a special place in the hearts of our country Harry Roque, said on Wednesday. “In the observance of this occasion, we hope that all Filipinos would stand together as one nation and aspire for peace.”
To which the CPP- NPA responded on Friday: This unilateral declaration of a ceasefire is “in observance of the Filipino people’s traditional holidays and the Party’s 49th anniversary” on December 26.
with the communist group. The reality of a resumption of the future, to the eye of the regular Filipino, is not. Life will simply go on, with or without the war.
war with the Communists largely lies in the hands of the government. But just as they responded positively to the call of Christmas peace, perhaps the Communists may start changing the call of nation building in a new era of peace. This rebellion this war must end. The whole nation continues to hope that under Duterte’s leadership -- he’s the only one we’ve got at the moment -- may still deliver that elusive peace.