Military, Reds declare ceasefire

MANILA, Philippines – The military and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) have declared a ceasefire in preparation for the peace talks, which resume today in Oslo, Norway.

The CPP declared a suspension of military offensive operations last Feb. 12 while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reciprocated yesterday. The ceasefire will take effect from 12:01 a.m. of Feb. 15 until 11:59 p.m. of Feb. 21, the conclusion of the peace talks.

In a statement, the CPP said it has placed its forces on defensive mode but vowed to remain vigilant against possible attacks by state forces.

“We hereby declare to all commands and units of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the people’s militia a ceasefire order to be effective upon the reciprocal and concurrent ceasefire order from the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH),” CPP said.

The CPP said the declaration was made “as a confidence and goodwill measure to mark the resumption of the formal talks.”

“All the commands and units of the NPA shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive operations against the armed units and personnel of the AFP, Philippine National Police (PNP) and paramilitary forces of the GPH,” it said.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said the ceasefire will not prevent their troops from defending communities from insurgents.

“This (ceasefire) will not preclude our soldiers from taking action in self-defense and to protect communities from armed threats,” he said. “We hope that this gesture shall pave the way for winning the peace.”

Mabanta gave assurance that soldiers would give primacy to the peace process by using force only when necessary.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the implementation of ceasefire during the negotiations is part of the consensus made during the informal talks.

“It is part of the agreement between the panel and the NDF (National Democratic Front). This has been coordinated already,” she said.

The NDF will represent the CPP and the NPA in the negotiations.

The CPP directed its troops to remain vigilant against encroachment on their territories, surveillance, or offensives by state forces, including those labeled as “peace and development” or “civil-military” operations.

“Active self-defense shall be undertaken only in the face of clear and imminent danger and actual armed attack by the enemy,” it said.

The CPP had previously demanded the prohibition of the AFP’s civil-military operations (CMO), claiming these are being used to harass communities.

The AFP, however, said the CMO activities will continue despite the ceasefire.

“Civil military operations will not be stopped. At this point, we will continue to conduct civil military operations which include disaster response and building of infrastructure at far-flung barangays,” Mabanta said.

The AFP spokesman said suspending the CMO programs would mean denying people in depressed areas of basic services.

When asked why the communists want the CMO activities halted, Mabanta said: “They feel they may lose people on their side.”

Talks between the government and the NDF were supposed to resume in Oslo, Norway in 2009. The talks, however, collapsed after the government rejected a demand to free alleged consultants of the NDF who are facing criminal charges.

Government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla said over the weekend that now is the “most opportune time” to revive peace negotiations with the communists.

He said the peace talks are best resumed now as this is the “start of a new and popular administration.” Padilla is confident that peace with the communists can be achieved within three years.

Peace talks gain support

Meanwhile, the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) yesterday expressed support for the resumption of the peace talks.

“We are optimistic that both parties will earnestly look into the second substantive agenda and move closer to a comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms,” the PEPP said in a statement.

The PEPP added that the peace talks are connected with other issues.

Aside from praising President Aquino and the NDF leadership, the PEPP also commended the different organizations that supported the peace negotiations.

“Even as the two parties buckle up to work, we urge our faith communities in the Philippines to pray without ceasing for just and lasting peace to reign in our country. The social and economic issues we face are topics worth our special intercession and study. In doing so we take a principled stand: that the equal distribution of food, sufficient economic opportunities for all, the entitlement of farmers to the land they till, represent a breakthrough towards the cessation of civil strife,” the statement said. – Cesar Ramirez, Evelyn Macairan –Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star)