Lifeless bodies of an elderly farmer and his son with disability were found in a field in a peasant community in Brgy. Kapatagan, municipality of Laak in Davao de Oro (formerly Compostela Valley) province.
Members of the New People’s Army (NPA) are observing the unilateral and reciprocal ceasefire being declared by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), but they won’t hesitate to engage state forces if attacked, a spokesperson of the New People’s Army (NPA) said Thursday (Dec. 26).
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in Southern Mindanao denounced Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s statement calling on the national government to exclude Davao City from the Duterte administration's ceasefire declaration and the forthcoming resumption of peace negotiations with the NDFP.
Moro human rights group Suara Bangsamoro called for an independent investigation on the recent bombings in Cotabato City and neighboring municipalities in Cotabato and Maguindanao that happened as the extended martial law is about to expire on December 31.
The declaration of a ceasefire in the Christmas season by both government and Communist rebels is a cause for celebration for Filipinos, a peace advocate group said.