Duterte to consider AFP advice on holiday truce with Reds — Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte will consider the recommendation by the military for the government not to declare a ceasefire with communist rebels this holiday season, Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte, who appointed several retired military officials to his Cabinet, normally “gives a lot of weight” to the recommendations given by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

“Pakikinggan po iyan, but ultimately it is only the President who will decide,” Roque said at a press briefing in Palawan.

AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo justified their position by citing ceasefire violations committed by the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

"During the incumbency of a truce, these terrorists continued their extortion activities and committed crimes of murder, arson, and the likes," Arevalo said.

Last year, the Philippine government and the communist group both declared a ceasefire during the holiday season. It ran from 12 a.m. of December 23, 2019 until 11:59 p.m. of January 7, 2020.

During that period, respective armed units and personnel of the NPA were prevented from initiating operations against state forces, which, in turn, only maintained defensive posture.

Duterte also declared a ceasefire with the rebels from March 19 to April 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — RSJ, GMA News