AFP to CPP-NPA: What truce?
He said the AFP would continue to conduct a military offensive against the communist rebels
Daily TribuneHe said the AFP would continue to conduct a military offensive against the communist rebels
The Armed Forces of the Philippines stood firm on its continuing military offensive against the New People's Army, despite the Communist Party of the Philippines' declaration of truce beginning on Christmas Day.
AFP Public Affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad reiterated that the two-day unilateral ceasefire declared by the CPP-NPA remains an "empty statement."
To recall, the CPP said the unilateral ceasefire will begin from 12:01 midnight on 25 December until 11:59 p.m. on 26 December — in time for the Party's 55th founding anniversary.
However, the AFP stressed that it will continue with anti-insurgent operations.
"There is no truce… There was no agreement made between the CPP-NPA-NDF and the AFP in the first place," Trinidad told DAILY TRIBUNE in a text message on Monday.
He stressed that the AFP would continue to conduct a military offensive against the communist rebels.
"The CPP declared a unilateral ceasefire and we are not bound by it. Such declaration is an empty statement as they do not have the leadership and support of the masses," Trinidad said.
"Their armed groups are surrendering and also a massive withdrawal of support from the masses," the military official added.
Trinidad also reiterated the government's call to the communist rebels to surrender to the folds of the law, instead of continuing their senseless armed struggle.
"It is better for them to lay down their arms and surrender to spend time with their families rather than face the same fate as with their dead comrades," Trinidad said.