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Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Communists declare Yuletide ceasefire
By Miko Santos
* Rebels kill 5 people, set afire to several houses in Mindanao Monday
COMMUNIST rebels declared a ceasefire with government Tuesday that would start at midnight on Dec. 20 and will end at midnight on Jan. 4, 2004, it was learned from Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said Tuesday.
Rosal said the National Democratic Front (NDF), the mother unit of communist group in the country, made the announcement Monday morning.
"The NPA (New People's Army) is ordered not to launch any form of military action against the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), PNP
(Philippine National Police) and paramilitary groups during the ceasefire," Rosal said.
"But if we are invaded and disturbed in our zones, we will be forced to defend ourselves," Rosal said.
Rosal cautioned the military from conducting "law enforcement and barangay (village) visitation operations" in NPA-controlled areas once the truce is in effect calling such efforts as "military operations in essence."
President Arroyo said Tuesday the suspension of offensive military operations (Somo) against the NPA "is a recommendation of the defense and military organizations as a sign of their support for the peace process."
Arroyo also said the declaration of a truce this month shows the government's willingness to press for peace talks with the communist rebels.
Meanwhile, five people were killed and a village was set on fire in two communist guerrilla attacks in the Pantukan town in Mindanao, ahead of a Christmas ceasefire, the military said on Tuesday.
Lucero said about 60 NPA members attacked the village of Lawaan near Pantukan, killing two soldiers and a civilian and wounding another soldier.
Lucero said the rebels also set fire to 15 houses.
Lucero also said two NPA rebels were also killed and three of their comrades arrested in a firefight with an Army patrol near T'boli town Monday.
(December 10, 2003 issue)
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