12-day holiday truce between government, NPA ends

MANILA, Philippines - The 12-day holiday truce between the government and the communists ended yesterday with the military reiterating its call for the rebels to renounce violence and live peaceful lives.

With the end of the ceasefire, the military can resume offensive operations against the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“The Armed Forces will cease its active defense mode and switch back to full military operations against all enemies of the state,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said yesterday.

“Every Filipino is saddened by the (fact) that peace only comes during the holidays particularly the Christmas season. The AFP believes that the Filipino is aspiring to finally attain peace in the whole country,” he added.

Padilla said it’s about time that the CPP-NPA considers abandoning the armed struggle, the only remaining communist insurgency in Asia.

“We support any peace process for the end of all hostilities,” the military spokesman said.

“We call on them to consider renouncing the use of arms. We’ve had enough of conflict. It’s time to lay down their arms and work for the benefit of our people,” he added.

The holiday ceasefire declared by the CPP and the government started last Dec. 23.

The truce barred government forces and communist rebels from launching offensives but allowed them to defend themselves when under attack.

The military claimed the NPA had violated the ceasefire when they harassed soldiers in Surigao del Sur, Bukidnon and Davao City last month and in Camarines Sur on New Year’s Day.

The AFP’s Southern Luzon Command reported that 10 NPA members opened fire at eight soldiers and six militiamen last Jan. 1 at Barangay Scout Fuentebella, Goa, Camarines Sur, prompting government forces to retaliate.

The military said it repelled an attack by the NPA on its troops in Camarines Sur, adding it was the second recorded violation by the rebels of the existing Christmas ceasefire.

The CPP has yet to issue a reaction on the military’s accusations.

Malacañang reassured the public that authorities will continue to monitor and be on alert for possible violations of the Christmas ceasefire.

A senior officer at the Armed Forces General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo said the rebel attacks prove that the CPP no longer controls the NPA guerrillas in the countryside.

“If this is the case, the government should terminate peace negotiations with the CPP-National Democratic Front (NDF) and instead start negotiations with local NPA guerrilla units,” the official said. – With Delon Porcalla