There will be no suspension of military operations against communist rebels nationwide during the Holy Week.
“There is no tradition of a Lenten ceasefire. There is nothing on the horizon right now. The only tradition we have is the Christmas ceasefire,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said yesterday.
He consulted Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles before briefing journalists.
Alex Padilla, chief government negotiator with the communist rebels, hopes the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and National Democratic Front (NDF) will resume peace negotiations soon.
“The (peace) talks are at a current impasse but I last had contact with my counterpart just a couple of weeks ago. There is no date set for any talks in the future but we hope to resume in May or June of this year,” he said in a text message.
The government declared an 18-day suspension of military operations against the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the CPP, in December 2011, lasting until Jan. 3 this year. This was upon the recommendation of Deles and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police issued separate statements directing security forces to suspend offensive operations against NPA units in the spirit of Christmas.
Deles said the government would not implement a ceasefire with communist rebels during Holy Week, adding that such has not been the usual practice.
She said they are hoping that communist rebels would keep the Holy Week “holy” even without a formal declaration of ceasefire.
In a text message, Deles also said that there is no need for government to have a special declaration of ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as the existing ceasefire is holding.
“The ceasefire with the MILF is holding. No need for special declaration. With the CPP-NPA, there is no Holy Week ceasefire declaration. It has not been a practice,” Deles said. With Jose Rodel Clapano
