(Eagle News) — The Communist Party of the Philippines on Friday, Dec. 7, declared a unilateral ceasefire for the holidays.
In a statement, the central committee of the CPP said the temporary ceasefire would take effect from 12:01 a.m. of December 24, 2018 to 11:59 p.m. of December 26, 2018; and from 12:01 a.m. of December 31, 2018 to 11:59 p.m. of January 1, 2019.
“During the days covered by this temporary ceasefire declaration, all units of the NPA and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns and operations against uniformed armed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP),” the CPP said.
It noted, however, that “all Red fighters and commanders shall maintain a high degree of militancy and vigilance against hostile actions or movements by enemy armed forces, including those laying siege on communities and subjecting people to armed suppression and violence in the guise of so-called ‘peace and development operations’ or ‘law enforcement,’ and those mounting combat operations with the aim of encircling units of the NPA.”
It said the temporary ceasefire could be cut short if government security forces attacked them.
If “positive conditions arise,” the CPP said the temporary ceasefire “can be extended by a few days.”
“Let us celebrate 50 years of unrelenting revolutionary struggles by the Filipino people guided by the correct leadership of the (CPP),” the CPP said.
“Let us also look forward to the bright future of greater revolutionary victories as the crisis of the ruling semicolonial and semifeudal system worsens rapidly and compels the people to bring their national democratic revolutionary struggle to greater heights and closer to complete victory,” it added.
