DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) announced on Thursday the order to extend the unilateral nationwide ceasefire to “prioritize the fight against the pandemic.”
In a statement on its website, the CPP declared that the ceasefire which started last March 25 and supposed to lapse on April 15, is further extended until 11:59 pm on April 30.
Under the duration of the ceasefire, it ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) and its people’s militias “to continue to desist and cease” from carrying out an offensive against government forces, and “strictly limit themselves to active defense operations.”
According to the CPP, the aim of the ceasefire extension “is to ensure quick and unimpeded support to all people requiring urgent medical, health and socioeconomic assistance in the face of the public emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Meanwhile, it said that the ceasefire order has been observed “despite the difficulties and dangers brought about by the continuing occupation of AFP combat troops” and other attacks “mounted by the AFP’s strike forces against detected NPA units.”
The CPP also reiterated its call for the “urgent release” of all political prisoners and for declaring a general amnesty. It also expressed the desire for the resumption of the stalled peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. (davaotoday.com)
