NDFP declares nationwide ceasefire effective 12:00 midnight; DILG says it is “a good development”
MANILA – In response to the call of United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres for a global ceasefire between warring parties for the purpose of fighting COVID-19, the Central committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines ordered its New People’s Army including its militia to observe a nationwide ceasefire effective 12:00 midnight tonight until 11:59 P.M. of April 15,2020.
In a statement sent late Tuesday night, the NDFP chief political consultant advised and relayed by the NDFP negotiating panel to its national council, its people have been advised “to refrain from launching tactical offensives to gain more time and opportunity to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and look after the health and over-all welfare of the people in both urban and rural areas.”
At the IATF briefing at Malacanang Palace Wednesday afternoon, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the government has declared a unilateral ceasefire earlier because they want to focus on the concerted efforts to fight COVID-19.
“But of course, we assumed strong defensive stance to thwart any attack that would be coming from the CPP/NPA and we don’t expect whatever action they would have,” Secretary Año explained.
He said CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison was quoted saying the ceasefire declaration was not timely and so the government has focused its personnel in the fight against the pandemic.
“We are committed to saving lives of our people,” he explained.
Told that the Negotiating Panel of the NDFP has ordered its own ceasefire, Secretary Año said it’s a good development though they are not concerned of whatever the CPP/NPA would do as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police remain dedicated in its fight against the coronavirus. (Melo M. Acuña)
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año (Screen grab from PCOO/RTVM).
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