The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) will observe a ceasefire on Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 to commemorate CPP’s 55th anniversary and in solidarity with the traditional Christmas celebration.
In a statement released on Saturday, Dec. 24, CPP-NPA said the ceasefire would start at 12:01 midnight on Dec. 25.
“To mark the significance of the upcoming 55th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines, we hereby declare to all units of the New People's Army across the country to observe a two-day suspension of tactical offensives starting at 0001 hours of December 25,” it said.
The CPP-NPA said the two-day ceasefire would give time to peasant masses and NPA units to “conduct assemblies, meetings or gatherings to celebrate the Party's anniversary, look back at past achievements, and pay tribute to all heroes and martyrs of the Philippine revolution.”
“This ceasefire declaration is also in solidarity with people's traditional holiday celebrations,” it added.
All communist members were advised to observe vigilance and be on high alert against the military’s “relentless offensives, state terrorism and fascist crimes.”
The halt of operations, attacks, or other forms of armed engagement would end at 11:59 PM Dec. 26, and all guerrilla offensives shall commence at 12 midnight on Dec. 27.
