Connect with us

Breaking

Duterte declares holiday truce with Reds

Published

on

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the Ceremonial Signing of the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) in Malacañan Palace on December 19, 2017, declares that the first tax reform package is his administration's biggest Christmas gift to the Filipino people citing that it would benefit most the taxpayers. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

Contrary to previous statements and recommendations by some of his Cabinet members, President Rodrigo Duterte announced a suspension of military operations (SOMO) for the holidays.

“The President announced last night a suspension of military operations (SOMO) from December 24, 2017 to January 2, 2018,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

According to Roque, the Christmas season ‘holds a special place in the hearts of the countrymen’ and it would be best to stand together as one nation in aspiring for peace during the season.

buy lexapro online http://bostonanxiety.org/images/photoalbum/gif/lexapro.html no prescription pharmacy

“This unilateral ceasefire would lessen the apprehension of the public this Christmas season. We expect that the CPP-NPA-NDFP (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army- National Democratic Front of the Philippines) would do a similar gesture of goodwill,” he further said.

A few days ago, Malacañang in a statement said that the government is maintaining its stand on not declaring a SOMO, in which government forces are not involved in offensive operations but only for defensive ones in case of attacks.

(Read: Palace insists on breaking military tradition, no holiday truce)

It has been a tradition to declare a SOMO during the yuletide holidays, which is reciprocated by the side of the rebels as well.

Roque had said that declaring one would only expose ‘our defenders to enemy attacks and embolden them to commit more atrocities.’

He did say however that they are not closing their doors on other possibilities.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, earlier this month, said that he will not recommend a SOMO to maintain the government forces’ stance and operations against the recently-declared terrorist group.

buy isotroin online http://bostonanxiety.org/images/photoalbum/gif/isotroin.html no prescription pharmacy

“No, I will not [recommend a SOMO]. Because there was an order by their commanders to intensify operations against us. So kung mag-SOMO kami (if we have a SOMO), we will stand down and they will attack us again,” he said on December 5.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle5 days ago

Never Settle For Less Than You Are

Before I became a mother, before I became a wife, before I became a business partner to my husband, I...

Lifestyle3 weeks ago

Celebrating My Womanhood

The month of March is all about celebrating women and what better way to celebrate it than by enjoying and...

Lifestyle1 month ago

Maria’s Funny Valentine With An Ex!

Maria in Vancouver can’t help but wonder: when will she ever flip her negative thoughts to positive thoughts when it...

Lifestyle2 months ago

The Tea on Vancouver’s Dating Scene

Before Maria in Vancouver met The Last One seven years ago and even long before she eventually married him (three...

Lifestyle2 months ago

How I Got My Groove Back

Life is not life if it’s just plain sailing! Real life is all about the ups and downs and most...

Lifestyle3 months ago

Upgrade Your Life in 2025

It’s a brand new year and a wonderful opportunity to become a brand new you! The word upgrade can mean...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

Fantabulous Christmas Party Ideas

It’s that special and merry time of the year when you get to have a wonderful excuse to celebrate amongst...

Lifestyle4 months ago

How To Do Christmas & Hanukkah This Year

Christmas 2024 is literally just around the corner! Here in Vancouver, we just finished celebrating Taylor Swift’s last leg of...

Lifestyle5 months ago

Nobody Wants This…IRL (In Real Life)

Just like everyone else who’s binged on Netflix series, “Nobody Wants This” — a romcom about a newly single rabbi...

Lifestyle5 months ago

Family Estrangement: Why It’s Okay

Family estrangement is the absence of a previously long-standing relationship between family members via emotional or physical distancing to the...