AFP vows to adhere to UN's call for global ceasefire amid COVID-19 threat

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Felimon Santos Jr. said Tuesday the military would adhere to the call of United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres for a "global ceasefire" amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat.

"The Philippine government has already declared a unilateral ceasefire with the NPA (New People's Army) midnight of March 19, 2020. And the AFP, from its leadership down to the last element on the ground, adheres to it religiously," Santos said in a statement.

"We have trailed our focus on this virulent but unseen enemy that has claimed the lives of 33 of our countrymen and, thus far, infected 501. And this development pushes us harder," he added.

According to Santos, the AFP will not be deterred by communist rebels' threat of attacks on government troops.

Earlier, Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison said he is recommending a unilateral ceasefire as a response to Guterres' call.

The self-exiled communist leader, however, said the communists would continue to be vigilant in case government forces will launch offensive attacks against them.

In a virtual press encounter Monday, Guterres called for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world. 

“It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives,” he said.—AOL, GMA News