AFP: No ceasefire with Reds ahead of CPP anniversary next month
There will be no declaration of a ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) on its 55th anniversary on December 26, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Sunday.
Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said the CPP, NPA and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDF) is currently in the midst of a leadership crisis within its higher echelon.
“Sa palagay ko po, katulad nung nangyari noong nakaraang taon, walang tayong ceasefire kasi una, wala namang leadership. Merong crisis sa leadership ngayon sa national level ang CPP-NPA-NDF. Wala naman talagang magbibigay sa kanila ng kautusan na magkaroon ng ceasefire,” he pointed out.(In my opinion, the situation is similar to last year, there will be no ceasefire because first, they have no leadership. The CPP-NPA-NDF currently has a leadership crisis at the national level. There is no one who would give an order for a ceasefire.)
Aguilar disclosed the AFP had observed no major activities from the rebels a month before the CPP anniversary.
However, the AFP official said it would still be up to the government if there will be a suspension of military operations (SOMO) against the communist rebels in the upcoming holiday season.
“Nasa gobyerno na kung magkakaroon ng suspension of military operation which is unilateral. Siguro kung ito man ay mangyayari, baka ito ay ipatupad para magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang mga sundalo na makauwi sa kanilang pamilya during the Christmas season, and at the same time, siguro ito’y pagkakataon sa mga NPA na patuloy na tumatakbo ngayon na makabalik sa kanilang mga pamilya at tuluyan nang iwanan ang armadong pakikibaka,” he added.
(It is up to the government if there will be a suspension of military operations which is unilateral. If this ever occurs, it will be implemented to allow our soldiers the opportunity to go home to their families during the Christmas season, and at the same time, perhaps this will be an opportunity for the NPAs to return to their families and leave the armed struggle.)
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier granted amnesty to rebels that include former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF "to encourage them to return to the folds of law.”—RF, GMA Integrated News