NPA declares ceasefire
TWO days after the government announced a unilateral ceasefire, the communist New People’s Army (NPA) also declared on Friday, December 22, its own ceasefire in observance of Christmas and the 49th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
In a statement posted on its official website philippinerevolution.info, NPA spokesperson Ka Oris said their unilateral ceasefire will take effect from 6:00 p.m. of December 23 to 6:00 p.m. of December 26; and 6:00 p.m. of December 30 to 6:00 p.m. of January 2, 2018.
“During this period, all NPA units and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns and operations against the uniformed armed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its paramilitaries, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines,” the NPA statement read.
Personnel of the AFP and PNP who have no serious liabilities other than their membership in their armed units shall not be subjected to arrest or punitive actions. They may be allowed individually to enter the territory of the people’s democratic government to make personal visits to relatives and friends,” it added.
The rebels, however, said all its units will be on “active defensive mode” and will observe “a high degree of alertness and preparation against any hostile actions or movements.”
The government ceasefire will take effect on the same dates, but will last longer until 11:59 p.m. of December 26, 2017 and the same time on January 2, 2018. (SunStar Philippines)
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte listens to the oath of allegiance led by one of the New People’s Army rebel returnees during the event dubbed ‘Panaghiusa Para sa Kalinaw (Unity for Peace)’ at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City on December 21. Also in the photo are Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Eduardo Año and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.—
Presidential Photo