■ CPP-NPA TO DECLARE UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE
Following the release of two prisoners-of-war of the New People Army last Friday, the Communist Party of the Philippines announced it will issue a unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire with the government on or before March 31. The communist group said the impending truce with the government is “in anticipation and support” of the next round of peace talks between its political wing, the National Democratic Front, and the government’s peace negotiators in The Netherlands on April 2 to 5.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) announced yesterday that it is set to issue a unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire with the government not later than March 31.
The CPP made the announcement following the release of two prisoners-of-war of its armed wing, the New People Army’s (NPA), in Mati, Davao Oriental last Friday, March 24.
In a statement, the communist group said the impending truce with the state forces is “in anticipation and support” of the fourth round of peace talks between consultants of its political wing, the National Democratic Front, and the government’s peace negotiators.
The government peace panel and NDF leaders are scheduled to meet in the Netherlands from April 2 to 6 to discuss the bilateral ceasefire agreement.
The CPP said it supports efforts between two parties to sign a bilateral ceasefire deal even as it anticipates “difficult negotiations”.
It is expecting that President Rodrigo Duterte would reciprocate the end of hostilities with its armed wing, the NPA.
“(We) look forward to a similar unilateral ceasefire declaration by the [government] as mutually agreed upon in the March 10 to 11 backchannel talks,” the CPP said, as it expressed dismay over the military’s “continuing campaign of aerial bombings and shelling.”
“The CPP urges the Duterte regime to order the AFP to slow down its ongoing all-out offensive military operations and aerial bombing and shelling campaigns against rural barangays, to help create a favorable atmosphere for the mutual ceasefire,” it added.