Reds declare own holiday ceasefire

The New People's Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has declared its own ceasefire during the Christmas holidays.

In a statement, NPA spokesperson Ka Oris said the communist rebels' unilateral declaration of ceasefire will be in effect from 6 p.m. of December 23 to 6 p.m. of December 26; and 6 p.m. of December 30 to 6 p.m. of January 2, 2018.

"During this period, all NPA units and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns and operations against the uniformed armed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its paramilitaries, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines," the statement read.

However, the NPA said its units would remain alert for any hostilities.

"Despite the GRP’s own unilateral ceasefire declaration, the CPP and NPA is only too aware of the AFP’s treachery, attacks and deception," Ka Oris said.

"As such, all leading organs and branches of the CPP, commands and units of the NPA and people’s militias and revolutionary mass organizations shall closely monitor any hostile actions, provocations or movements being carried out by the enemy armed forces," he added.

Government reactions

Asked for Malacañang's response on the communists' ceasefire declaration, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said: "We wish the whole nation a peaceful Christmas and New Year."

The Philippine National Police lauded the decision of the communist rebels to declare ceasefire.

“The PNP welcomes the move of the CPP/NPA to issue a ceasefire to match the ceasefire offered by the Duterte administration,” PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said in a text message to GMA News Online.

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the suspension of military operations during the holidays, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

"The President announced last night a suspension of military operations (SOMO) from December 24, 2017 to January 2, 2018," Roque said in a statement.

On Thursday, the Department of National Defense officially declared a unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels.

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the ceasefire will take effect from 6 p.m. of December 23 to 6 p.m. of December 26; and from 6 p.m. of December 30 to 6 p.m. of January 2. —With a report from Amita Legaspi/MDM/KG, GMA News