PNP won't recommend holiday ceasefire with CPP-NPA —Fajardo

The Philippine National Police will not recommend to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. a ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, this holiday season.

In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said the police organization will not lower its guard especially after an encounter between members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and NPA in Batangas.

“Wala po tayong irerekomenda so far para magkaroon ng ceasefire for this holiday season at kamakailan lang dito sa Batangas ay nagkaroon ng engkwentro between the members of NPA at ‘yung ating mga kasamahan sa AFP at merong namatay at nasugatan sa hanay ng ating government forces,” she said.

(We will not recommend a ceasefire for this holiday season especially after the encounter in Batangas between the NPA and AFP where members of government forces were killed and injured.)

One soldier was killed while three others were hurt in the encounter.

Fajardo said the PNP is also on alert for the CPP-NPA’s anniversary on December 26.

“Kasama ito sa pinaghahandaan natin, we will not lower our guards, alam natin na magkakaroon at magse-celebrate sila ng anniversary nitong December 26,” she said.

(We are also preparing, we will not lower our guards, we know they will celebrate their anniversary on December 26.)

She further said additional personnel have been deployed to police stations in far-flung provinces, especially in areas vulnerable to NPA attacks.

“Katuwang ang AFP to make sure na hindi tayo malulusutan ng mga banta sa seguridad including ‘yung police stations at detachments,” she said.

(We are working with AFP to make sure that police stations and detachments are ready to face any security threats.)

Fajardo said because of the encounter, the PNP intensified its border control and checkpoint operations.

Last year, the AFP did not declare a ceasefire with the CPP-NPA “because of leadership vacuum within the CPP after the neutralization of many of its top leaders.”

But last month, the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines have agreed to resume the stalled peace negotiations after their representatives signed a joint statement for "a principled and peaceful resolution to the armed conflict."

"The parties agree to a principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict. Resolving the roots of the armed conflict and ending the armed struggle shall pave the way for the transformation of the CPP-NPA-NDFP," they said in a joint statement.—AOL, GMA Integrated News