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DAVAO CITY –– Red fighters will continue to fight government forces during the Christmas holidays, which is traditionally a time for the cessation of hostilities.
On Wednesday, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said it is not declaring a Christmas truce, meeting a similar statement from President Duterte.
“Faced with fierce attacks by Duterte’s military and police forces both in the cities and in the countryside, the PCP Central Committee is forced to dispense with the traditional ceasefire this year,” the group said in a statement.
“However, the relentless state terrorist attacks of the Duterte regime and the terrible anti-communist attack on the people make a joyous festive celebration impossible this year,” added the CPP.
Instead of withdrawing, the CPP ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), to launch offensives against government forces.
In a public address on December 7, the president said that for government forces, there would be no Christmas truce as long as he is commander-in-chief.
“There will be no higher ceasefire ever again under my term as president. For all intents and purposes, the ceasefire is dead, ”said the president.
Traditionally, both parties issue their respective unilateral ceasefire declarations that last throughout the Christmas holiday.
Edited by LZB
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