/ AFP / Noel Celis/
(Eagle News) — The New People’s Army on Friday declared a unilateral ceasefire, days after the government declared its own for the holidays.
In a statement in the Philippine Revolution Web Central site, the NPA said the ceasefire shall be in effect from 6:00 p.m. of December 23 to 6:00 p.m. of December 26; and 6:00 p.m. of December 30 to 6:00 p.m. of January 2, 2018.
The government ceasefire falls on the same days, but will last six hours longer on December 26 and January 2, 2018—until 11:59 pm.
The NPA said the declaration–which was made “under the direction of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines” — was made “in observance of the Filipino people’s traditional holidays and the Party’s 49th anniversary.”
“During this period, all NPA units and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns and operations against the uniformed armed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and its paramilitaries, and the Philippine National Police of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines,” the NPA said.
All NPA units, however, it said, “shall maintain a high degree of alertness and preparation against any hostile actions or movements by enemy armed forces..”
In a statement, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Rey Guerrero said he hoped the NPA “would be sincere in their declaration.”
He said government troops would “be on active defense” to “make sure we continue protecting our communities.” (With a report from Mar Gabriel, Eagle News Service)