Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22) — The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) declared a ceasefire Sunday following a recommendation of the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), which represents communist rebels in peace talks.
The ceasefire will last from the midnight of December 23, 2019 to 11:59 p.m. of January 7, 2020. The CPP said it will only take effect after the Philippine government also orders a ceasefire.
“The purpose of the reciprocal and unilateral ceasefires is to generate a positive atmosphere conducive to the holding of informal talks preparatory to the formal meeting to resume the peace negotiations,” the CPP said.
It added, “These shall be measures of goodwill and confidence building during the traditional celebrations of Christmas and New Year holidays.”
The CPP said that while the NPA and other “people’s militias” will cease from carrying offensives, it will be “on defensive mode at both the strategic and tactical levels” and will “maintain a high degree of militancy and vigilance against any hostile actions or movements contrary to the ceasefire order.”
It added that communist rebels will only defend themselves in the case of clear and imminent danger and actual armed attack by hostile forces.
The government and the NDFP earlier agreed to recommend a nationwide ceasefire starting on Monday after President Rodrigo Duterte hinted at the possible resumption of peace talks.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said defense officials and the military are not aware of the agreement.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he is still unsure if Duterte will approve it, but he said the President may decide on this on Monday.
