Truce holds during holidays

Gov’t, NDFP unilateral ceasefire declarations remain in effect

The unilateral ceasefire declarations of the Philippine government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) will remain in effect during the holiday season.

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison, an NDFP consultant, revealed this Tuesday in a Facebook post. Sison also bared that he had a phone conversation with President Duterte on Monday.

In a speech at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club last Tuesday, Duterte revealed that Sison agreed to talk with the government panel on a joint ceasefire agreement.

“Sabi niya (He said), maybe two years we can agree. Sabi ko (I said), sir, the bottom line here is the welfare of the people of this country. No more, no less. Sabi ko sa kanila (I told

them),” Duterte said.

“Sabi niya (Sison said), we’ll try to work our way. Well, thank you. Basta ako dito sir, hanggang kapakanan lang ng bayan (Sir, I’m just after the welfare of the people)…,” the President added.

Sison, in his Facebook post, wrote: “I had a friendly and productive phone conversation with President Duterte about advancing the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations at around 7 p.m. last night Utrecht time.”

“The unilateral ceasefire declarations of the GPH and NDFP will stand during the Christmas and New Year holidays,” he further said, but did not indicate specific dates.

“Bilateral ceasefire agreement and the amnesty and release of the political prisoners listed by the NDFP can be discussed and agreed upon before, during and even after the third round of formal talks in Rome from January 18 to 24,” he added.

Duterte had previously expressed optimism about the peace process with the communists, saying the government negotiating team “will not really abandon the things that we all crave for our country.”

He has rejected an NDF demand to free 130 political prisoners unless joint ceasefire agreement is signed between the government and the communist group.

“I’m sorry but I have already conceded so much on the side of the government,” the President had earlier said.

Duterte, however, agreed to release the sickly, elderly, and women political prisoners.

Last Saturday, he revealed his wish for Christmas and that is for gun battles with the communist and Muslim rebels and even the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) to take a back seat to allow peace to reign during the holiday season.