Military ready for ceasefire attacks

The ceasefire will be in effect from 12 a.m. of 23 December 2019 to 11:59 p.m. of 7 January 2020

The military is ready from the possibility that the NPA may launch attacks during the ceasefire. (PA)

Malacañang on Monday said the government is ready for possible New People’s Army (NPA) attacks during the ceasefire to celebrate their anniversary on 26 December.

“We are ready for that. We are always ready,” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. “Regardless of the success of the peace talks, ano man ang mangyari, palagi tayong ready whatever eventuality.”

Malacañang on Sunday night announced that President Duterte has directed the declaration of a unilateral and reciprocal ceasefire with the coalition of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Panelo said the defense department, military and police are not keen in recommending to the President a ceasefire with the Reds as they may launch attacks during the ceasefire, the Chief Executive is willing to take the risk and still decided against their recommendation to give peace talks a chance.

“…the President doesn’t want more bloodshed of our own fellow Filipinos. We want it stopped; it’s about time they return to the fold of the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, Panelo said there is still no word yet on when the preliminary talks will transpire between the government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines.