Duterte orders suspension of military operations vs Reds

PRESIDENT Rodigo Duterte has directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines to suspend military operations against the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), in observance of the holiday season.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte’s declaration of unilateral ceasefire with the CPP, NPA and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) would take place from December 24, 2017 to January 2, 2018.

Roque said the government was expecting that the communist group would reciprocate Duterte’s announcement of a unilateral truce.

“The President announced last night a suspension of military operations from December 24, 2017 to January 2, 2018,” the presidential spokesman said in a statement.

“This unilateral ceasefire would lessen the apprehension of the public this Christmas season. We expect that the CPPNPA-NDFP would do a similar gesture of goodwill,” he added.

Duterte earlier signed Proclamations 360 and 274, which formally terminates the government’s peace talks with CPP’s political wing NDF, and declares CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

In November, the Commander-in-Chief said he would no longer declare truce with the communist insurgents, following his lament that they lack sincerity in negotiating with the government.

In an interview in Pasay City on early Wednesday, December 20, the President hinted that he might declare cessation of hostilities with the communists, even after he declared them as terrorists, to allow Filipinos to celebrate Christmas season “without stress.”

Roque said the declaration of unilateral ceasefire aimed to fulfill the Duterte administration’s aspiration to achieve peace in the country.

“Christmas holds a special place in the hearts of our countrymen. In the observance of this occasion, we hope that all Filipinos would stand together as one nation and aspire for peace in our beloved Philippines,” he said. (Ruth Abbey Gita/ SunStar Philippines)