AFP : No word yet on holiday truce with NPA

MANILA, Philippines - The military is awaiting a government declaration of a holiday ceasefire with the New People’s Army (NPA).

Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said they are still awaiting orders.

“Once that is offered, declared by the government or by the national leadership, we will abide with it strictly,” he said.

“The recommendation is to have a period of one month for the Christmas season. It will take effect upon approval.” 

In the Visayas, Armed Forces Central Command chief Maj. Gen. John Bonafos said a holiday truce would be a welcome development, especially in typhoon-devastated areas.

“We all celebrate the meaning of Christmas so the normal truce usually declared during this period will be welcome,” he said.

Bonafos said NPA attacks have gone down in typhoon-affected areas.

He said he hopes the NPA would help in efforts to assist victims of Yolanda.

“This is the time for us to show our unity and concern for one another,” he said.

Malacñang has yet to approve a Christmas truce from Dec. 16 to Jan. 15.

Last year, the administration suspended offensive military operations against the NPA from Dec. 16 to Jan. 15 as a goodwill measure for the peace talks. The NPA reciprocated the gesture.

Peace talks with communist rebels hit an impasse after the National Democratic Front demanded the release of rebel leaders facing criminal charges.

The NDF said they were working as peace consultants and should therefore be immune from arrest.

However, government negotiators said it has no way to determine whether those using aliases are indeed peace consultants.

The NDF has denied stalling the talks and instead blamed the government for the impasse.