The New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros yesterday received an order from the Communist Party of the Philippines central committee to declare a ceasefire in order to concentrate all efforts in combating the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19.
According to a copy of the declaration by NPA Apolinario Gatmaitan Command spokesperson Ka Juanito Magbanua, the ceasefire came into effect at 12:01 a.m. this morning and will end at 11:59 p.m. on April 15.
The insurgent group said the purpose of the ceasefire is to ensure the movement of medical, health, and economic assistance will not be hampered.
They added, the truce is a gesture by the NPA to government forces in order to facilitate a positive atmosphere for the resumption of peace talks.
“During the ceasefire period, all NPA units and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military operations against the armed units and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP),” the declaration said.
However, the NPA was also ordered to remain vigilant and ready to act in self-defense if the AFP or PNP launches an operation against them.
Earlier, the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, received a recommendation from their chief political consultant, Jose Maria Sison, to declare a ceasefire.
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.
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