Reds to declare holiday truce

According to Jose Maria Sison, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman, the declaration of the ceasefire will be formally announced soon. (Photo: Jose Maria Sison/Facebook)

Following the suspension of military operations (SOMO) by President Rodrigo Duterte for the holidays, the communist New People’s Army (NPA) will also declare a truce to allow Filipinos a peaceful Christmas celebration.

According to Jose Maria Sison, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman, the declaration of the ceasefire will be formally announced soon.

“Malamang lalabas (It will probably come out) this morning ang (the) ceasefire declaration ng (of) CPP at (and) NPA,” Sison was quoted as saying in a Rappler report on Friday.

The National Democratic Front (NDF), the group that represents the CPP and NPA in negotiations with the Philippine government, recommended the truce.

“It is mainly in honor of and for the benefit of the people in connection with the holidays and the CPP 49th anniversary,” Sison added.

The President earlier declared a holiday ceasefire with the reds in defiance to previous statements and recommendations by some of his cabinet members.

In a statement, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said 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.

“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,” Roque said.

The Philippine government announced on Thursday the specified dates for its unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels.

The truce takes effect from 6 p.m. on December 23 to 11:59 p.m. on December 26, and the same hours on December 30 to January 2, 2018.