The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) announced that they are not declaring a Christmas truce, similar to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration.
“In the face of the vicious attacks by Duterte’s military and police forces both in the cities and countryside, the CPP Central Committee is forced to dispense with the traditional holiday ceasefire this year,” the group said in a statement.
“The Duterte regime’s relentless state terrorist attacks and horrific anti-communist onslaught against the people, however, make impossible a joyful holiday celebration this year,” the CPP added.
The CPP has ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) to launch offensives against government troops.
Duterte mentioned in his public address last Dec. 7 that there would be no Christmas truce for the government forces as long as he is the commander-in-chief.
“There will be no more ceasefire ever again under my term as President. For all intents and purposes, the ceasefire is dead,” the Duterte said.
Traditionally, both enemies release their respective unilateral ceasefire declarations lasting throughout the Yuletide holiday. RJ Espartinez