Senators welcome ceasefire declared by both nat’l gov’t, Reds

Senators welcomed Monday the ceasefire declared by both the national government and the Communist Party of the Philippines in time for the holiday season.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said the ceasefire during the holiday season was  much welcome.

“The first step to peace is a ceasefire. We all should welcome this confidence building measure,” Recto told GMA News Online.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Aquilino Pimentel III expressed hope the ceasefire would be long-term.

“I share the hope of the Filipino people that the ceasefire will go beyond the holiday season, and will lead to a final settlement of the longest insurgency in Asia,” Drilon said in a text message.

On Twitter, Lacson said there was no greater Christmas wish for every peace-loving Filipino than a bilaterally declared ceasefire between the government and the CPP/NPA/NDF “that holds as long as he could ever hope for.”

There is no greater Christmas wish for every peace-loving Filipino than a bilaterally declared ceasefire between the government and the CPP/NPA/NDF that holds as long as he could ever hope for.

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) December 23, 2019

Pimentel also said that ceasefire is very welcome.

“Peace talks with final agreement to maintain peace is the best outcome which we should all aim for,” he said.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said any step to silence the guns of war should be welcome.

Administration Senators Imee Marcos and Ronald dela Rosa expressed hope the communist group would be really abide by the ceasefire.

“Salamat kay PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) at pinaunlakan ang dalangin naming mga Waray at ng mga tropa sa Cordillera na mag tigil-putukan!" Marcos said.

"Sana'y maging tapat ang NPA sa ceasefire at hindi masundan ang barilan sa Samar kung saan pati bata at civilian (ay naapektuhan),” she added.

“Alinsunod sa diwa ng Pasko, magkaisa tayong Pilipino at mamuhay ng payapa't tahimik ang ating mga pamilya sa bagong taon ng 2020!” Marcos said.

Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, said he was hoping for a genuione and lasting peace even if, according to him, doubts on the sincerity of the rebels had factual basis.

“To prove their sincerity, CPP/NPA/NDF should be true to their unilateral ceasefire declaration in words and in deeds,” Dela Rosa said.

The national government and the CPP both made ceasefire declarations on Sunday following the recommendation of the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines' (NDFP) peace panels for a holiday truce. —NB, GMA News