The government will not declare a Christmas truce with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the decision not to declare a suspension of military operations with the NPA for Christmas stays.
“Our defenders would not stand down as there has been call on the other side to launch offensives against state forces,” Roque said in a statement yesterday afternoon.
Roque said that if the CPP-NPA-NDF was able to launch attacks while it was talking peace with the government, it is not impossible that they will also do the same during the Yuletide season.
“The CPP-NPA is notorious for conducting treacherous attacks even when there was unilateral ceasefire in the past during which we have lost scores of our brave defenders,” he said.
Roque added that declaring a Christmas truce with the communists will not benefit the soldiers but said there may still be a chance for the government to reconsider this decision.
Formal peace talks between the government and the communists collapsed last month. The government has been asked to reconsider its decision and declare a Christmas truce with the communists as in the past. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
