Tablado? DND, AFP reject unilateral holiday truce by CPP
Published Dec 15, 2025 12:32 pm
|
Updated Dec 15, 2025 01:38 pm
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. (middle) addresses the assembled military personnel at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Nov. 16, 2025. (File photo: AFP)
The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday dismissed as a “propaganda stunt” the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) declaration of a four-day holiday ceasefire as military operations continue unabated to keep communities safe during the Christmas and New Year period.
In a statement, DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio R. Andolong said military duties “are not subject to pause or seasons.” He stressed that the AFP will continue supporting the Philippine National Police (PNP) in maintaining peace and order nationwide.
“The CPP statement should be taken as it is—a sad propaganda stunt of a terrorist organization,” Andolong said.
Nonetheless, he reiterated the government’s call for remaining New People’s Army (NPA) members to abandon violence and pursue lawful paths toward peace and development.
Meanwhile, the AFP echoed the position of the DND as it underscored that the military’s constitutional mandate remains uninterrupted despite unilateral pronouncements by armed groups.
“Military responsibilities are continuous,” Padilla said.
“In close coordination with other law enforcement agencies, the AFP will continue lawful security operations to ensure peace and order and prevent armed groups from exploiting the situation to regroup, rearm, or threaten public safety,” she added.
Truce
Earlier in the day, the CPP announced a ceasefire order for its armed wing, the NPA, from 12 a.m. of Dec. 25 to 11:59 p.m. of Dec. 26, and from 12 a.m. of Dec. 31 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 1.
The CPP directed its units to go on “active defense mode” during the period. The group said the move was in solidarity with holiday celebrations and to mark its 57th party anniversary on Dec. 26.
But the AFP rejected the truce and warned that security forces would not allow armed groups to exploit the season to regroup or threaten public safety.
Padilla said troops will remain on duty across the country as Filipinos observe Christmas and New Year.
“As families come together this holiday season, our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines will continue safeguarding communities nationwide,” she said.
The national government and CPP-NPA used to declare the temporary suspension of offensive military operations during Christmas and New Year in the past as a goodwill measure and when active discussions for peace talks were still alive.
However, in 2017, the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte formally ended the peace negotiations with the CPP-NPA and its political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF).
The military had argued that ceasefires can be used by armed groups to regroup, move forces, or resupply while the CPP had accused the AFP of continuing operations even during declared truces.
Under the administration of President Marcos Jr., the national government and the NDF signed the Oslo Joint Communique in November 2023 to resolve the roots of the armed conflict and end the armed struggle, paving the way for the transformation of the CPP-NPA-NDFP.
Marcos also issued proclamations granting amnesty to members of the CPP-NPA-NDF, reviving the government’s long-stalled amnesty mechanism as part of a broader peace and reintegration policy.