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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO and PRINCE GOLEZ
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MANILA – The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Friday declared an eight-day unilateral ceasefire with government forces.
In a statement posted on its website, the CPP said the ceasefire shall be from 6 p.m. on Dec. 23 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 26, and from 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2018.
According to the CPP, the truce order was issued upon the order of its Central Committee in observance of the Filipino people’s traditional holidays and the Party’s 49th anniversary on Dec. 26.
“All NPA units and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns and operations against the government forces and its paramilitaries,” the CPP said, referring to its armed wing, the New People’s Army.
But the CPP cautioned the NPA to “maintain a high degree of alertness and preparation against any hostile actions or movements by enemy armed forces,” showing distrust in the government, which also declared a unilateral ceasefire.
During six-month unilateral ceasefires last year, the CPP said, “the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) occupied and forward-deployed troops in at least 500 barrios nationwide, committing numerous human rights violations against civilians and their communities.”
“As such, all leading organs and branches of the CPP, commands and units of the NPA and people’s militias and revolutionary mass organizations shall closely monitor any hostile actions, provocations or movements being carried out by the enemy armed forces,” it added.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday declared a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP “to lessen the apprehension of the public this Christmas season.”
On Thursday, Malacañang clarified that the government’s unilateral ceasefire will be from 6 p.m. on Dec. 23 to 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 26, and from 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 to 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2018.
“I said I will declare a ceasefire for all. It’s up to the NPAs to join,” Duterte said on Thursday.
“We have many enemies – we have Maute and other terrorists, we also have drug addicts,” said the President. “We’ll have ceasefire for now for you to return to your families.”
On the same day Duterte assured rebel returnees that the government will protect them.
At the “Unity for Peace” event in the Eastern Mindanao Command, the President met with at least 200 surrendering rebels.
“It’s my obligation to give you protection just how I am defending my soldiers,” said the chief executive.
Duterte offered them jobs and financial and housing assistance, and told them they could join the Armed Forces if they want.
Encouraging rebels to return to the fold of the law is part of the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program, a joint effort of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and local government units./PN
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