Palace: Decision not to declare holiday truce with NPA stays

MANILA, Philippines — The government is not suspending military offensives against the communist guerillas during the holidays as a ceasefire would embolden the rebels to launch more attacks, Malacañang said Sunday.

 

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said communist insurgents were “notorious” for conducting “treacherous” attacks even if there was a ceasefire.

 

“The decision not to declare a suspension of military operations (SOMO) with the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) over the Christmas holidays stays. Our defenders would not stand down as there has been call on the other side to launch offensives against state forces,” Roque said in a statement.

 

“Declaring a SOMO (suspension of offensive military operations) now is not to the nation’s best interest as it would only expose our defenders to enemy attacks and embolden them to commit more atrocities, especially during their anniversary,” he added.

 

READ: Church leaders to Duterte, NPA: 'Talk peace instead of war'

 

But the government is not closing its doors to a holiday truce.

 

“We do not discount possibilities that there may be circumstances that may arise for government to reconsider its present position,” Roque said.

 

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the decision on whether to suspend offensives against the communists would depend on the recommendation of the Defense department.

 

“Every year, we declare a ceasefire during the Christmas season. And this Christmas season, the recommendation of the Department of National Defense is there would be no ceasefire. Whatever was recommended by (Defense) Secretary (Delfin) Lorenzana to the president, we will follow that,” Andanar told radio station dzMM Sunday.

 

“We still have a few days before Christmas so we will see what will be the decision of our president,” he added.

 

READ: NDF consultant: Duterte is terrorist not CPP-NPA

 

Some groups are asking Duterte to declare a holiday ceasefire with the communist rebels, saying the move would ensure a peaceful celebration of Christmas.

 

Duterte terminated the peace negotiations with the communists last month, saying the rebels were pushing for a coalition government, a setup that would force him to “share” the Philippines’ sovereignty. He also chided the insurgents for staging attacks against innocent civilians even if the government is already talking peace with them.

 

The president has also classified the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines as terrorist groups.

 

READ: Explainer: Can Duterte declare CPP-NPA terrorists?