INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año thinks the government should not reciprocate the communist rebels' declaration of suspension of military operations (Somo) during the Christmas holidays, as this is a “big joke.”
“Ito po at isang malaking kalokohan. Huwag na nilang gamiting dahilan ang kapaskuhan sa pagkukunwari nila na magtitigil-putukan sila sa panahong iyon gayong alam naman nating magpapalakas lang sila ng puwersa,” said Año, a former AFP chief-of-staff.
(This is big joke. Don’t use the Christmas holidays for a ceasefire because we all know they will just consolidate their forces.)
“Taon-taon na lang ay nagdedeklara sila ng tigil-putukan at pinagbibigyan sila ng pamahalaan alang-alang sa diwa ng Kapaskuhan. Sa puntong ito, huwag na nating sakyan ang mga palabas ng grupong ito... We will not allow ourselves to fall into the same trap again. We have seen time and again the insincerity of the Communists and their front organizations,” he added.
(Every year, they declare a ceasefire and the government continues to give them a favor in the spirit of Christmas. At this point, let us not go along with this group’s show...)
On December 7, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) central committee announced the temporary ceasefire, which will be effective at 12:01 a.m. of December 24 until 11:59 p.m. of December 26, and at 12:01 a.m. of December 31 until 11:59 p.m. of January 1 for the observance of the traditional holidays, as well as for the CPP's anniversary celebration.
The central committee, however, instructed its units to remain alert for the possible active defense from the government side.
The CPP said soldiers and policemen assigned in “guerilla territories of the NPA” may take a short break and take advantage of the time when they can visit their families and loved ones in the observance of the holidays.
Año said nothing will come out of a truce because the leftists have really no intention to stop fighting with government forces during a ceasefire.
“Huwag sila puro ‘talkies.’ Kung talagang sinsero sila sa kapayapaan, matagal nang sinasabi ni Pangulong Duterte na bumalik si Joma Sison dito para sila mismo ang mag-usap,” he said.
(They should not be 'talkies.' If they are really sincere with peace, President Duterte has long told Joma Sison to come home so they can talk to each other). (SunStar Philippines)