News Update CPP declares six-day holiday truce

The Communist Party of the Philippines on Monday declared its own ceasefire with the government to mark the Christmas and New Year holidays. In a statement, the CPP said the ceasefire will take effect from: 12 a.m. of December 24 to 11:59 p.m. of December 26 12 a.m. of December 31 to 11:59 p.m. of January 2. "During the indicated periods, all commands and units of the (New People's Army) and the people’s militia shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive operations against the armed units and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police and paramilitary forces of the Government of the Philippines (GPH)," it said. "This ceasefire order is being issued in solidarity with the Filipino people’s traditional celebrations of the Christmas and New Year holidays. This will also provide opportunity to the revolutionary masses to join various activities to mark the CPP’s 43rd foundation anniversary on December 26," it added. It added that while the unilateral ceasefire is in effect, all NPA commands and units shall be in defensive mode at both the strategic and tactical levels. But they will also "remain vigilant against any encroachment on the territory of the people’s democratic government, surveillance or offensive operations by the armed commands and units of the GPH." "Active self-defense shall be undertaken only in the face of clear and imminent danger," it said. On the other hand, the CPP accused the Philippine government's forces of continuing "surveillance and population control operations" as part of its so-called "Oplan Bayanihan war of suppression." It enjoined "revolutionary forces" to closely monitor all hostile actions or movements of the government forces, and report these upwards in accordance with the command structure of the New People’s Army and the leadership structure of the CPP and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Significant for Mindanao The CPP said the ceasefire order is particularly significant for commands and units of the NPA operating in Mindanao and Visayas provinces stricken by the calamities of the past few days, including Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi). It said the ceasefire "will provide NPA commands the opportunity to mobilize its forces in order to assist the masses suffering from the loss of lives and destruction of their homes and economic livelihood." "Officers and members of the AFP and PNP who have no serious liability other than their membership in their armed units shall not be subjected to arrest and 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 said. — RSJ