T
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) has encouraged communist rebels to lay down their arms and return to their families ahead of the Christmas Day.
Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr., PNP spokesperson, issued the call after the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) declared a unilateral ceasefire in time for the holiday season.
Durana’s invitation came as the PNP earlier announced that they would not cease their anti-insurgency operations against the CPP-NPA despite the latter’s announcement of a truce.
“Although we will continue our law enforcement operations and internal security operations, kami din po ay nananawagan sa ating mga kapatid sa NPA na bumaba na po kayo at spend time with your families,” he said.
“Bumaba po kayo pero huwag lang magdala ng baril. Makikita niyo po ang malaking pagbabago sa ating bansa ,” he added.
Durana also challenged the rebels to keep an open mind for them to realize that what they are fighting for are no longer the principle of armed struggle but the “personal interests” of CPP-NPA founder Jose Maria Sison.
“Makikita po ng mga kapatid natin sa NPA na talaga pong ang ipinaglalaban nila ay personal interest ni Joma Sison at ng iba pang mga leaders na nagpapakasarap sa Europe habang ang mga tauhan nila dito ay naghihirap.” he noted.
The top communist leader fled to Europe after he was exiled when peace talks failed in 1987. He is now based in the Netherlands.
Earlier, the CPP-NPA announced a holiday truce from 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 24 to 11:59 p.m. of Dec. 26; and 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 31 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 1, 2019.
However, the PNP spokesperson declared their 180,000-strong personnel will remain on alert and continue with their regular law enforcement and internal security operations despite the truce.
Durana said the CPP-NPA “cannot be trusted ever” and their insincerity was “simply too glaring and so obvious to ignore.”
“We will not fall for their antics anymore. Instead, we will deny them of every possible opportunity to harass and terrorize the communities, to recruit and kidnap children, and to reconsolidate their crippled ranks,” he said. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
