Group welcomes military, NPA ceasefire
December 24, 2014 | 4:19pm
MANILA, Philippines - A group of peace advocates on Wednesday welcomed the separate declaration of ceasefire by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) for the holidays and for the upcoming visit of Pope Francis next year.
Peace advocacy group Kapayapaan said the ceasefire is a goodwill measure undertaken by both sides.
"After a long impasse on the formal peace talks, this is definitely a welcome development. We are hopeful the ceasefire could help pave the way to the eventual resumption of formal peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines," Kapayaan spokesman Lito Manalili said.
Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles announced the suspension of military and police operations from Dec. 19 to Jan. 19 next year.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has ordered all NPA units and militia to desist operations against the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the following periods:
- 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 24 to 11:59 p.m. of Dec. 26;
- 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 31 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 1, 2015; and
- 12:01 a.m. of Jan. 15, 2015 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 19, 2015.
Manalili said both parties should uphold the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) with or without ceasefire declaration.
"Ceasefire provides temporary relief to civilians in conflict areas but both parties must adhere to CARHRIHL at all times to protect civilians," Manalili said.
CARHRIHL is a landmark agreement signed by both parties in 1999. It is also the first in the four substantive agenda under the Hague Joint Declaration. Next in the agenda would be socio-economic reforms.
"This Christmas season and with the Pope visit, we would like to reiterate the Filipino people’s yearning for peace. We hope both parties would honor all the agreements they signed and proceed with the next substantive agenda," Manalili said.
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