Reds terminate unilateral ceasefire

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP) has terminated the unilateral ceasefire it declared August last year, as it scored the Duterte administration for failing to fullfill its promise to release all political prisoners.

In a statement, spokesman Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos also cited as another reason for the termination the "encroachment" by the military on the "territory of the people's democratic govenrment."

"The August 28, 2016 unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire issued by the Central Committee of the CPP (CPP-CC) and the National Operations Command of the New People’s Army (NPA-NOC) is hereby terminated," said Ka Oris.

Ka Oris said the unilateral ceasefire should effectively expire on 11:59 p.m. of February 10.

The group said the negotiating panel of the Philippine government would be given notice today of the termination by the NDFP's negotiating panel. 

The rebel group said the Philippine governement failed to comply with its obligation to amnesty and release all political prisoners under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.

"The unilateral ceasefire declaration was issued on the mutual understanding with the GRP that such releases will take effect within 60 days of August 28," said Ka Oris. 

"Such was the context why the GRP panel approached the NDFP towards the end of October seeking an extension of the CPP/NPA’s declaration with a promise that around 200 political prisoners were set to be released," he added.

He noted how the Duterte regime failed to fulfill such obligation even though the CPP obliged it by extending the ceasefire declaration to more than 150 days.

Encroachment

The CPP-NPA-NDF also accused the government of "treacherously taking advantage of the unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire to encroach on the territory of the people's democratic government."

The group claimed that across 164 municipalites and 43 provinces, the government's armed forces have occupied at least 500 barrios which are within the authority of the revolutionary government.

Ka Oris said despite the government's own unilateral ceasefire, also declared August last year, the military continued with hostile actions, provocations, surveillance and other offensive operations labelled as "peace and development, civil-military, peace and order, anti-drugs campaign, medical missions, and law enforcement."

The group claimed the military has subjected entire barrios to its armed presence and has committed widespread violations of human rights, such as occupation of people’s homes, barangay halls, day care centers and other civilian structures.

People have suffered threats, intimidations and harassments by soldiers in their barrios, even as the government's “counter-insurgency” population and resource control have gravely affected the people’s farm productivity, commerce and overall livelihood, Ka Oris claimed.

The rebel group cited the January 21 firefight that broke out as the Armed Forces of the Philippines waged offensive operations against an NPA platoon in Makilala, North Cotabato, resulting in eight soldiers killed. An NPA Red fighter was martyred, the rebel group said.

Continued support

Despite the termination of the ceasefire declaration, the CPP-NPA-NDF said it would continue to support the peace negotiations with the government within the framework of The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992.

"In our experience and in the experience of other peoples, it is possible to negotiate while fighting until the substantive agreements are forged to address the roots of the armed conflict and lay the basis for a just and lasting peace," Ka Oris said.

"We oppose the use of interim ceasefires as basis for a protracted or indefinite ceasefire without substantial benefit for the people and their revolutionary forces and for laying aside peace negotiations on substantive issues such as social, economic and political reforms. Such is tantamount to the capitulation and pacification of the revolutionary people and forces," he added.

Vigorous, active defense

Ka Oris said from today until the expiration of the ceasefire declaration, all commands and units of the NPA, including the people’s militia and self-defense corps, were tasked to "take initiative and more vigorously carry out active defense in order to defend the people and revolutionary forces."

"They must counteract, frustrate and punish AFP-CAFGU-PNP interior patrol operations, AFP psywar operations under Oplan Kapayapaan, AFP units occupying barangays and communities and enemy armed offensives posing as anti-drug and anti-crime operations," he said.— MDM, GMA News