The Armed Forces of the Philippines affirmed its commitment to carry out military operations against the guerrilla fronts of the New People's Army, despite the Communist Party of the Philippines' declaration of a two-day unilateral ceasefire.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, said the AFP sees the CPP's ceasefire declaration as an "empty statement."
"The task given to the AFP is clear, and we will comply. We will be watchful, and our operations will continue unabated to keep our communities safe and end the communist armed conflict once and for all. The defeat of this threat aligns with the collective wish of all Filipinos," Trinidad said in a text message.
He added: "The unilateral ceasefire declared by the CPP is an empty statement as they do not have the leadership and support of the masses. Their ammunitions are depleted, and their members, supporters included, are surrendering."
In an email sent to news organizations on Saturday, CPP spokesperson Marco Valbuena confirmed the CPP's two-day suspension of its guerrilla forces' offensives against the AFP and the Philippine National Police nationwide.
Valbuena said the unilateral ceasefire will be from midnight on 25 December until 11:59 p.m. on 26 December — in time for the CPP's 55th founding anniversary.
"The ceasefire declaration is also in solidarity with the people's traditional holiday celebration," he said.
Trinidad said the CPP-NPA's ability to distort peace and security has long gone. Still, the military will remain vigilant against any possible insurgent attacks from the communist armed groups.
"Their capability to plan and stage attacks was already diminished, but we expect harassments to create unnecessary disturbance or noise. Nonetheless, our forces on the ground were already warned and are ready," Trinidad said.
No peace talks, yet
He advised the remaining members of the CPP-NPA to surrender instead of continuing their "senseless advocacies."
"It is much better for them to abandon the armed struggle. He added that laying down their arms and returning to the folds of the law to be with their families is the rational path toward a united, peaceful, and progressive country," he added.
Trinidad clarified that no ongoing formal peace talks exist between the government and the communist groups.
This despite the recently announced government's exploratory talks with the CPP-NPA's political wing, the National Democratic Front.