Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 26) — The military on Tuesday distanced its combat operations against rebels from the government’s “exploratory” peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). This was after a senator questioned its refusal to reciprocate the two-day ceasefire declared by the rebels, saying that it is an “empty statement.”
“Magkahiwalay po ng landas ng usapin na ‘yan, yung exploratory talks, sa amin pong ginagawa,” Col. Medel Aguilar, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) told CNN Philippines’ Balitaan.
“Ang sinasabi namin, hangga’t merong armado na gumagalaw, na sila ay threat sa kapayapaan ng ating komunidad, hindi tayo hihinto [sa aming combat operation],” he also said.
[Translation: What we do is different from the explanatory talks. What we’re saying is as long as there are armed communist rebels, who are a threat to our community, we will never stop with our combat operations.]
In November, The Marcos administration and the NDFP, the umbrella organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), agreed to resume the peace negotiations as they acknowledged that there is a need to unite to address national challenges.
READ: Gov’t, NDFP agree to resume peace talks
The AFP on Monday said it will pursue its military operations despite the communist group’s declaration of a two-day ceasefire on Dec. 25 and 26.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, said CPP’s declaration of ceasefire is an \”empty statement\” as they lose leadership and support of the masses, while their firearms and ammunition are depleting and their members and supporters are surrendering.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said the AFP’s stand on the holiday ceasefire \”shows mistrust\” and is \”not good for the planned peace talks.\”
On Christmas day, the AFP said it killed nine suspected communists and seized eight firearms.
