The National Democratic Front (NDF), the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has received a recommendation from their chief political consultant, Jose Maria Sison, to declare a ceasefire amid growing concerns over the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19.

Based on Sison’s statement. which was forwarded by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros, the recommendation was made in response to a request from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for a global ceasefire between warring parties for the common purpose of fighting the pandemic.

In response to the statement, NPA Apolinario Gatmaitan Command spokesperson Ka Juanito Magbanua said, as with previous practices, the NPA’s regional command will implement a ceasefire once it is declared by the central committee.

In the meantime, the NPA remains on alert for offensives launched by government forces.

Local military officials earlier called out the insurgent group for recently conducting attacks.

“We are one with the government and the people’s desire to end the spread of Covid-19 [and] we will abide by the order of our commander-in-chief,” explained Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Army Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte. “But, if the Communist NPA terrorists continue their evildoing, we will use all our might to protect the people and country.”/DGB, WDJ