For the coming New Year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is hoping that the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) will finally give up on their armed struggle so that their members could be reunited with their families and reintegrated back to society.
Col. Medel Aguilar, acting AFP spokesperson, said though that he does not know if the military has already recommended to the Commander in Chief, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., that a unilateral ceasefire be declared by the government with the communist groups in the spirit of the Christmas season.
“The most that we can do is to declare SOMO and move to active defense especially in areas where the insurgents are already weak,” Aguilar said on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
SOMO refers to suspension of military operations. It is sometimes being done during the holiday season to demonstrate the military’s commitment for peace in spite of conflict with insurgents.
“We pray that the insurgents will also be allowed to go to their families and think about their future. We hope that come New Year, their resolution will be to abandon armed struggle and all forms of violence that destroy human lives and properties,” Aguilar noted.
Marcos, who is currently in Belgium for the ASEAN–European Union (EU) Summit, has yet to issue a statement whether the government will declare a truce with the CPP-NPA.
Prior to this, Brig. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, director of AFP Center for Law of Armed Conflict, said that he welcomes the idea if the national government will declare a ceasefire with the communist groups.
However, he emphasized that if in case a truce is declared, the CPP-NPA should be sincere in adhering to it and avoid launching ambuscades or surprise attacks on law enforcers.