NDF vows to uphold holiday ceasefire

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines  – The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Southern Mindanao said on Tuesday that it would abide by the unilateral Christmas and New Year’s Day ceasefire of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Rubi Del Mundo, speaking on behalf of the front’s Southern Mindanao Region (SMR), said a directive had been issued to all of their guerrilla units to abide by the truce declared by the CCP.

Del Mundo, in a statement emailed to media outfits in Central Mindanao, said the truce will begin on midnight of December 24 until midnight of December 26 and shall be re-imposed from midnight of December 31 to January 2, 2014.

Del Mundo said their guerrillas in Central Mindanao will  adhere to the ceasefire.

The military, however, is not taking chances. Soldiers in North Cotabato and other parts of Region 12 have imposed security measures to deter possible attacks by communist rebels during the holidays

“We shall remain on full alert because rebels rely on treachery to inflict damage to civilian communities,” said 1Lt. Nash Sema, civil-military relations officer of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion in North Cotabato.

The NPAs have repeatedly attacked farming enclaves in North Cotabato in recent months.

Del Mundo said the CPP has ordered all rebel groups throughout the country to desist from any tactical engagement with government forces while the ceasefire is in place.

The ceasefire is also meant to allow rebels to celebrate on December 26 the CPP’s 45th anniversary in their enclaves, according to Del Mundo.