Duterte yet to OK proposed ceasefire

A Holiday truce means no carrying out of military operations.

The government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace panels have submitted their recommendation for the issuance of unilateral and reciprocal nationwide ceasefires, Malacañang confirmed on Sunday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government panel led by Labor Secretary Silveste Bello III and NDFP senior advisor Luis Jalandoni issued a joint statement announcing they have recommended to their respective principals a nationwide ceasefire effective midnight of 23 December 2019 until 11:59 p.m. of 7 January 2020.

Both parties agreed to issue corresponding ceasefire orders.

However, Panelo told the Daily Tribune in a text message that there is still no information yet if President Rodrigo Duterte will grant the recommendation by the two panels.

“We will know by tomorrow (Monday),” Panelo said.

During the ceasefire period, the armed units and personnel of both parties shall “cease and desist from carrying out offensive military operations against the other.”

At the same time, the ceasefires are intended “to generate a positive environment conducive to the holding of informal talks preparatory to the formal meeting to resume the peace negotiations.”

The joint statement was issued on 21 December 2019 in Utrecht, The Netherlands and was also signed by egotiator Hernani Braganza, NDFP chairperson Fidel Agcaoili and Third Party Facilitator of the Royal Norwegian Government Kristina Lie Revheim.

In a previous press briefing in Malacañang, Panelo said President Duterte will follow the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense (DND) and is not inclined to declare a unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

“Well, as far as I know, ayaw nila. Hindi ba mayroon na silang statement na ayaw nila ng unilateral ceasefire,” Panelo said. “Hindi ba usually he follows the recommendation of the people on the ground. He has not made any comment on that so I suppose …”