(Eagle News) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that it will remain vigilant and alert of moves by communist rebels despite the declaration of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) of a “unilateral ceasefire” this upcoming holiday season, saying that that the police force would not be “fooled” anymore by such declarations.
“We will not fall for their antics anymore. Instead, we will deny them every possible opportunity to harass and terrorize the communities, to recruit and kidnap children, and to reconsolidate their crippled ranks,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana said in a statement.
He said that in the 50 year old history of the CPP’s National Democratic Front (NDF), the communist rebels have proven themselves unworthy of trust.
“With a 50-year old deceptively obsolete ideology and a trail of bloody history behind them, the ruthless reputation of the CPP-NPA-NDF precedes their every move and attempt to fool us some more that they just cannot be trusted ever,” Durana said.
-AFP “not inclined” to recommend holiday truce-
The communist rebels had earlier declared a unilateral ceasefire scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 24 until 11:59 p.m. of Dec. 26, and on 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 31 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 1, 2019.
But Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the military is “not inclined to recommend to the President a holiday truce this time.”