The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has declared a unilateral four-day ceasefire for its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), setting it against the government's firm stance of continued military operations during the holiday season.
A Unilateral Truce for the Holidays
The ceasefire order, issued by the CPP central committee, directs NPA units to stand down from December 25 to 26 and again from December 31 to January 1. The communist group stated the temporary halt in hostilities is an act of solidarity with the Filipino people celebrating traditional holidays despite difficult economic conditions.
Furthermore, the CPP linked the truce to marking its 57th anniversary and celebrating the gains of its ongoing "rectification movement" over the past year.
Government Dismissal and Accusations
The state's National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) swiftly criticized the move. Its executive director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., labeled the ceasefire call as "hollow and unverifiable."
"It was not coordinated with the government and lacks any accountability mechanism," Torres said. He pointed out that the CPP's own instructions for NPA units to remain on "active defense mode" and "high alert" during the period proves the gesture is insincere. "This is not peace; it is a tactical deception that endangers communities and local officials," he asserted.
Torres emphasized that public safety is not seasonal, confirming that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will continue their operations to protect citizens.
Contrasting Views on Path to Peace
The official argued that real peace momentum comes from the government's "whole-of-nation" approach and the surrender of rebels, not symbolic ceasefires. He cited that the NPA's strength is now a mere fraction of its 1980s peak, with over 5,000 rebels having sought amnesty. Recent NTF-Elcac estimates place current NPA strength at around 780 fighters.
"Filipinos have rejected armed struggle in favor of stability and progress," Torres added, reiterating a call for remaining rebels to lay down their arms and avail of amnesty programs.
In contrast, Manila Bulletin columnist Tonyo Cruz offered a different perspective, welcoming any cessation of violence. "Most Filipinos certainly welcome peace this Christmas and New Year holidays, so any ceasefire is positive, good, and beautiful," Cruz told SunStar Philippines.
He expressed hope for a holiday season free from military operations and violence, urging the President to consider reciprocating the truce to allow all combatants a peaceful celebration.
The ideological conflict, which began in the late 1960s, is considered one of the world's longest-running insurgencies, with an estimated 40,000 lives lost. The NPA is officially designated a terrorist organization by the Philippine government, the United States, the European Union, and several other countries.
