MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels this Christmas season, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the President announced the suspension of military operations (SOMO) against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) Tuesday night.
He said the SOMO would run from December 24, 2017 to January 2, 2018 and the Palace expects the communist rebels to return the favor.
“This unilateral ceasefire would lessen the apprehension of the public this Christmas season. We expect that the CPP-NPA-NDFP would do a similar gesture of goodwill,” Roque said in a statement.
“Christmas holds a special place in the hearts of our countrymen. In the observance of this occasion, we hope that all Filipinos would stand together as one nation and aspire for peace in our beloved Philippines,” he added.
Earlier, Duterte said he was not keen on declaring a Christmas truce with the communist rebels following continued attacks against state security forces.
However, the President said early Wednesday that if ever he declares a holiday truce, it would be out of consideration for the well-being of the Filipino people.
"Look, if I declare a ceasefire, it is not addressed to the NPAs. Rather, I would want to celebrate Christmas with the rest of humankind or Filipinos na walang stress," he said in a media interview at the wake of Police Officer 3 Wilfredo Gueta.
"Baka sabihin nila walang ceasefire ngayon, baka magkaputukan. Then you put a lot of strain on the people. I will think about it. That would be my primary consideration," Duterte said.
The President added that “the ceasefire is a unilateral action of government to refrain from attacking.”
This was seconded by the Department of National Defense (DND) which said that the SOMO pertains only to combat operations. (PNA)
